Koepka Says Bryson Feud Is Good for Golf

Bryson DeChambeau may not need the PGA Tour.

But does golf need him?

That’s the question hanging over the sport as LIV Golf enters liquidation and the two-time U.S. Open champion faces a career crossroads.

Brooks Koepka, DeChambeau’s longtime rival, recently said their public feud is “good for the game.”

But the game itself is changing fast.

LIV Golf is shutting down.

BC Partners pulled a $300 million investment that was supposed to fund LIV 2.0, a restructured version of the Saudi-backed league with smaller purses and a reduced schedule.

LIV CEO Scott O’Neill issued a statement saying: “Building a global platform designed to bring new, younger, and more diverse fans to the sport of golf has been the round of a lifetime for all of us.”

He added: “LIV Golf was fun, demanding, inspiring, at times challenging — but always rewarding.”

Now DeChambeau has options.

He can apply for full membership on the DP World Tour for the 2027 season.

According to a report from The Telegraph, DeChambeau’s team has been informed by the DP World Tour that the 33-year-old qualifies under Category 1, which is extended to winners of majors and the Race to Dubai in the past seven years.

That category also applies to 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith and Jon Rahm, who has already announced his intention to compete on the DP World Tour full-time in 2027.

Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sergio Garcia are among the former LIV players who have already announced plans to return to the European-based circuit.

DeChambeau has until Nov. 14 to submit his membership application.

If he accepts the DP World Tour offer, he could play his way back to the PGA Tour for the 2028 season through the top-10 cards available on the Race to Dubai.

But DeChambeau may not take that route.

He previously stated his desire to become “a YouTube golfer” to grow his social media following, which already stands at 10 million across platforms.

He can still play major championships through 2029 because of his 2024 U.S. Open victory.

He can make appearances at tournaments around the world.

His online presence gives him another way to stay connected with golf fans.

Golf insider Dan Rapoport doesn’t see a return to the PGA Tour happening anytime soon.

Rapoport believes DeChambeau was one of LIV Golf’s most committed supporters and may not be interested in putting in the work required to regain regular PGA Tour status.

Rapoport also suggested that DeChambeau doesn’t need the PGA Tour, and the PGA Tour doesn’t need him.

The PGA Tour has Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and plenty of other outstanding players.

But professional sports aren’t always improved by having the same familiar names competing against one another.

DeChambeau brings something different.

He’s unconventional, curious, occasionally unpredictable, and willing to approach the game in ways that make people stop and watch.

You don’t have to be a fan of everything he does to recognize that he attracts attention.

Earlier this year, the PGA Tour offered Brooks Koepka a direct path back to its circuit through the Returning Members Program.

That same program was available to DeChambeau at the time.

But PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has since been adamant that the Returning Members Program was a one-time offer.

That means DeChambeau may not get the same deal if he wants to return to the PGA Tour later.

Jon Rahm previously turned down the Returning Member Program deal.

The Telegraph report also states that the PGA Tour could offer the same deal to Rahm once again, as well as to DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, although that is unlikely at this stage.

DeChambeau has been quiet about his future with LIV Golf.

But he did recently express some confidence that LIV 2.0 would have staying power.

“The business model makes a lot of sense, and we’re actually working through that right now for this new model where it will make full financial sense,” DeChambeau said on the Figuring Out podcast.

He added: “It’s no funny business, no nothing. It’s going to be done right. And this is going to be a league, hopefully, that exists forever.”

That didn’t happen.

LIV Golf blew through $6 billion of Saudi Public Investment Fund money into a failing product.

The fund withdrew its backing, plunging the tour into turmoil.

In a last-ditch attempt to salvage the sinking ship, LIV 2.0 was proposed with a reduced schedule and prize funds of $5.5 million instead of $30 million.

It wasn’t enough.

Now DeChambeau is the only relevant figure left on the doomed breakaway league.

The DP World Tour could be set for a blockbuster season if DeChambeau accepts the offer.

Rahm, Hatton, Garcia, and Tom McKibbin are all returning to the European-based circuit.

Joaquin Niemann and Cameron Smith are sure to avail of invitations.