Bryson DeChambeau either didn’t see the question (unlikely) or didn’t feel like answering it (more likely). But when Jason Zone Fisher, the energetic moderator at LIV Golf’s captains’ press conference Tuesday in West Palm Beach, Florida, asked DeChambeau for his thoughts on “the major news in the golf world yesterday,” DeChambeau looked as enthusiastic as an endodontist’s patient sitting down in the chair.
That news, of course, was the PGA Tour’s Monday announcement that Brooks Koepka would be coming home — and that three of LIV’s other biggest stars, including DeChambeau, were welcome to join him under the Tour’s new and very specific Returning Member protocol, at least until Feb. 2.
“Yeah, I mean, look,” DeChambeau said with a sigh and raised eyebrows that said: This topic. . . again?!
“I have a contract until 2026, so I’m excited about this year.”
Nothing about his brief, monotone response exuded excitement, but then again, DeChambeau’s words and quirks can be difficult to decipher. That was certainly the case during his Tuesday afternoon session with reporters. Later, when asked about a curious photo he posted Monday of himself standing next to an exit sign — which any reasonable person would have assumed was a playful nod to his ongoing negotiations with LIV and the possibility that he might cut ties — DeChambeau said, “There’s a new viral trend around exit signs, so I just wanted to show that in a new way.”
Cryptic, right? Bizarre too. But that’s DeChambeau – always the showman, but not always aware of his performance in these unscripted environments. This is what we Doing know: DeChambeau’s initial LIV deal expires at the end of this year; he and his team are negotiating an extension with LIV Brass; these conversations are ongoing; and DeChambeau has said he would be willing to walk if he doesn’t get the settlement he’s seeking.
What’s his number? The mind wavers. In DeChambeau’s first go-round, in 2022, he made “pretty close” (his words) to $125 million for a four-and-a-half-year commitment. This time? At least double that feels feasible. This also applies to 4x. When you consider his employer’s generous comp budget, combined with DeChambeau’s invaluable value to league visibility and other marketing efforts, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t raise Soto, Mahomes or Messi-type money. Just ask the man DeChambeau is negotiating with.
“He’s the biggest star in the game,” LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said at a news conference Wednesday. “He’s an elite human being. He’s talented. He’s amazing. He’s a social media darling. You go from Augusta to Adelaide and people are – fans go crazy. He’s a guy that kids absolutely adore and love. He gets the vision. He gets the mission. He’s a true businessman.”
O’Neil’s glowing review didn’t end there.
“This is a generational talent, and I don’t mean the golfer,” he continued. “He is a generational talent in terms of an athlete. I told him that privately, and I will say it publicly. He is a very special person and talent. Everything he stands for is good about the game and good about the next generation of golf, and I expect him to stay at LIV for a long time.”
That’s the point though. DeChambeau has not articulated his long-term intentions, at least not publicly. Playing it cool is a classic deal-making tactic, but DeChambeau is aiming for chilly, if not downright cold.
‘To make him stand up [Tuesday] and saying, ‘Check, I’m in,’ was really nice,” O’Neil said. That felt like an optimistic read; DeChambeau’s comments actually left him plenty of wiggle room. Yes, it appears he will likely complete his current deal, but beyond that remains an open question.
There is also a third door open: on Wednesday in one interview with Front Office Sports reporter David RumseyDeChambeau said that essentially becoming a full-time YouTube golfer, interspersed with cameos at the majors, is an “incredibly viable option,” adding that his YouTube exploits make his game “dialed in.” DeChambeau told Rumsey he is hopeful his talks with LIV leadership will land him in a deal that “makes sense for the long term, and if not, we’ll play this year and see what happens.”
Look what happens. That’s typical of the way DeChambeau discusses his plans these days. Always with an out clause.
Many of us find ourselves at a crossroads in our careers, but DeChambeau’s is a doozy: re-teaming with LIV for what will likely be one of the biggest contracts in sports history; return to the PGA Tour and rob LIV of its crown jewel; or largely forgo tour life and continue blazing a trail in a space where birdies and bogeys matter far less than viewers and subscribers.
Perhaps DeChambeau made up his mind months ago. Maybe he’s deeply invested in LIV and is just waiting for more money. But maybe not. Perhaps he’s unsure about his next steps, and perhaps Koepka’s departure has given DeChambeau even more peace. Perhaps he secretly met with the PGA Tour and Brian Rolapp to plot his own exit.
Maybe we will get clarity on this soon. But . . . yeah, probably not.
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