Bryson DeChambeau, the two-time US Open champion, has issued a stark 12-month warning to LIV Golf, placing the Saudi-backed league on high alert as he enters the final year of his lucrative contract. The American star's future has become the sport's most pressing question following the seismic return of rival Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour.
DeChambeau's Contract Countdown and Mega-Money Demands
Speaking at a LIV Golf media day in Florida, DeChambeau confirmed his commitment to see out the 2026 season with the breakaway circuit. However, he pointedly refused to guarantee his loyalty beyond that, placing immense pressure on LIV's executives. With Koepka's departure weakening LIV's star power, DeChambeau is now in a formidable negotiating position. Industry insiders suggest the social media sensation could seek a staggering new deal worth up to $500 million to re-sign for 2027 and beyond.
"I'm contracted through 2026, so I'm excited about this year," DeChambeau stated. "But I have no idea what's going to happen in a year. What I can tell you is that we'll do everything possible to make it make sense for both sides."
The Koepka Precedent and PGA Tour's February Deadline
The landscape shifted dramatically when Brooks Koepka was allowed an immediate return to the PGA Tour this month under its new 'Returning Member Program'. This scheme applies to major champions who have won since 2022. Koepka's return came with significant financial penalties, including a $5 million donation to charity and an estimated $85 million loss from PGA Tour equity schemes over five years, but it established a clear pathway back.
DeChambeau, alongside fellow major winners Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith, is also eligible for this programme. The PGA Tour has set a firm deadline of February 2 for applications. Intriguingly, the 2026 LIV Golf League season is scheduled to begin just two days later, on February 4 in Saudi Arabia, forcing a critical decision.
"I was surprised," DeChambeau admitted regarding Koepka's move. "I didn't know he'd be willing to give that much back. That's everybody's prerogative. Everybody has their own wants and needs."
LIV's Star Power and the Domino Effect
DeChambeau's potential exit would represent a catastrophic blow for LIV Golf, which has built its brand around a roster of elite, controversial talent. The league now faces the prospect of losing its two most prominent American faces in consecutive years.
Other LIV stalwarts were quick to offer more definitive commitments. Jon Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion who joined in a landmark deal in December 2023, stated, "I'm not planning on going anywhere. I'm focused on the league and my team this year." Australian Cam Smith, the 2022 Open champion, was even more emphatic: "I made a decision to come out here and spend more time at home, and I'm not giving that away. I'll be on LIV for years to come."
Despite his non-committal stance on the long term, DeChambeau expressed enthusiasm for his current team and the 2026 season. "I see tremendous value in [teammates] Charles [Howell], Paul [Casey], and [Anirban Lahiri], and what we're doing across the globe," he said. "I certainly don't want to let them down."
The coming year will be a high-stakes game of contractual poker. DeChambeau holds most of the cards, and his decision will send shockwaves through the professional game, influencing the futures of other players and the very structure of golf's fractured ecosystem. As he himself concluded, "Time will tell. I can't future-predict anything. It's really dependent on other people's decisions at this point."
