The three LIV professionals gave their answers with increasing conviction.
On Monday, the PGA Tour announced it had agreed to a deal with Brooks Koepka, who will return in two weeks after a three-and-a-half-year stint at LIV Golf. That deal came as part of the new PGA Tour Returning Member Program, which also opened the door for three other recent major champions currently playing on LIV: Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith.
Those three responded on Tuesday.
DeChambeau answered first. During a captains’ press conference as part of LIV’s preseason media week, DeChambeau was asked to comment on Koepka’s move and how the Tour’s offer could impact his own future. His response was decidedly lukewarm.
“I mean, look, I’m under contract through 2026, so I’m excited about this year,” he said.
You can watch DeChambeau in full below, which probably tells a fuller story; it was a noticeably muted response. And while it directly answered the question about his immediate future — we expect him to play for LIV this season — what DeChambeau will do after his contract expires at the end of 2026 remains one of professional golf’s enduring mysteries. As a result, everything he does between now and then will be analyzed as a potential indicator or negotiating tactic.
“Yes, I don’t plan on going anywhere. The answer is very similar to what Bryson gave,” he said. “I wish Brooks the best. As far as I’m concerned, I’m focusing on the competition and my team this year – and hopefully we can repeat as champions again.”
Cameron Smith, whose 2022 Players Championship and Open Championship also qualified him for reinstatement, sounded by far the most convincing of the three.
“I mean, I really don’t have any thoughts. I haven’t had much time to think about it,” Smith said. “But I know I’m here to stay. I’m here to support LIV. I’m a captain of a great team and a great group of people. I’m happy where I am. I’m proud of where I am. I think we’re doing a lot of great things, especially in Australia, and I can’t wait for this league to continue to grow.”
So there you have it. Three different responses, but all with the same short-term consequences: they will return this year.
Koepka will return to the PGA Tour for the 2026 season. But for now, he’ll be the only one.
Read more about Koepka’s return here.
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