LIV's future rides on its polar linchpins
Bought-in DeChambeau and taciturn Rahm hold keys; U.S. Am at Merion; Stray Shots
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Bryson DeChambeau has drenched himself in LIV Golf’s culture and future (Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf)
There’s been a good bit to unpack in recent days with the LIV Golf drama that continues to unfold as it heads to — apparently — its last tournament of the season in Indianapolis next week.
But one aspect seems obvious — the league really needs Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm to buy in to LIV 2.0.
DeChambeau’s commitment appears unwavering. Rahm. .. well, not so much.
Following the LIV Golf New York event on Sunday — where earlier in the week league CEO Scott O’Neil unveiled an agreement with an undisclosed investor that would help secure LIV’s future into next week and beyond — DeChambeau described it as “a new and fresh vision for this product.”
“It won’t be changing too much, but it’ll be changing in the right ways,” DeChambeau said.
The two-time U.S. Open champion has seemingly bought into the idea of a LIV future, saying he’s been involved in investor discussions and is actively trying to bring potential new money to the table in order to survive beyond the Public Investment Fund’s departure. DeChambeau may have even facilitated a meeting between his agency (GSE Worldwide) and BC Partners, which is reportedly the unnamed investor.
Rahm, meanwhile, has kept his comments far more reserved. He wasn’t asked about the new investment in LIV following his clinching the league’s individual title for the third consecutive year, and his responses to questions on the matter over the previous months have been non-committal.
“I’m not going to share anything that I can’t share with you guys right now,” Rahm said two weeks ago at the LIV Golf UK event.
Jon Rahm doesn’t project himself as “all in” for LIV 2.0 (Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf)
Rahm and other DP World Tour members might have another hurdle as it relates to a future LIV Golf commitment — there is no guarantee that the DP World Tour will not resume fining and suspending its members for competing in conflicting LIV Golf events after this season. And next year’s Ryder Cup gives the circuit quite a heavy hammer to wield if it wants.
It was perhaps a small clue to Rahm’s future intentions when in May — after saying for months that he would not pay fines to the DP World Tour that had been levied for the first two years for playing in conflicting events without a release — he reached an agreement with the circuit.
In February, the DP World Tour announced that eight members had been granted conditional releases upon the basis of agreeing to certain terms: Tyrrell Hatton, Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie.
Rahm was noticeably absent from the list and vowed to fight on.
Also in today’s DD …
U.S. Amateur tees off at Merion: Russell stays hot; Stout not so much
Stray Shots from the regular-season ending Wyndham Championship
In return, those players agreed to settle all previous fines, drop any appeals and add additional stipulated DP World Tour events — believed to be two or three — to their schedules which have required a minimum of four events.
“The conditions these members have accepted will provide additional value to the DP World Tour and benefit to the entire membership,” the tour statement said. “Provided each member satisfies the conditions of their individual releases, no disciplinary action under the Regulations will be taken against them for playing in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf in 2026 and they will retain their membership status.
“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting. Requests for releases will continue to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Regulations that all members agree to abide by.”
The European tour can make life difficult on prospective LIV players in 2027 if it chooses. Fining them for conflicting events — sometimes believed to be as much as $100,000 per tournament — can get expensive, especially when LIV’s purses are likely to be far lower than the $30 million being offered now.
For players with Ryder Cup aspirations, such as Rahm and Hatton specifically, the hassle might not be worth it. It might be easier to simply break off from LIV Golf and move on.
That is but one of myriad issues O’Neil and LIV face in trying to keep the league afloat.
DeChambeau doesn’t appear to be concerned. A path for him back to the PGA Tour
