STERLING, Va. — If LIV Golf can’t survive beyond this season without the purse strings of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau said Tuesday he’s willing to expand his YouTube channel and play in any tournament that wants him.
DeChambeau, 32, said he has had some discussions with the PGA Tour, but did not elaborate on a possible path to return to his former circuit if LIV were to disband.
“From my perspective, I want to grow my YouTube channel three times, maybe even more,” DeChambeau said during Tuesday’s practice in preparation for this week’s LIV Golf Tournament at Trump National Golf Club.
“I’d love to do that. I’d love to do a lot of dubbing in different languages and give the world more reasons to watch YouTube. And I’d love to play in tournaments that need me.”
DeChambeau did not go into specifics, but suggested the PGA Tour was prepared to impose stiff penalties if he wanted to return.
DeChambeau was one of the big stars who joined the breakaway circuit in June 2022, and was one of 11 golfers who sued the PGA Tour later that year, claiming it used its monopoly power to unfairly suspend players who participated in LIV Golf. He withdrew from the federal lawsuit in May 2023.
On Tuesday, DeChambeau said of the potential suspension from the PGA Tour: “It’s very disappointing in my opinion, considering what it could do for them.”
At the same time, DeChambeau suggested that LIV Golf and the PGA Tour need to work together to reunify men’s professional golf.
The PGA Tour now appears to have the most influence after the PIF announced last week that it would cut off $30 million in funding to the circuit.
“The ego needs to go,” DeChambeau said. “In order to grow the game of golf, everyone needs to come in with a level playing field and an opportunistic mindset. That’s why I came here. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing on YouTube.”
Before last week’s announcement, DeChambeau believed PIF would fund LIV Golf through at least the 2032 season.
“I was completely shocked,” DeChambeau said. “We didn’t expect this to happen. A few months before that, we were like, ‘We’re here until 2032. We have the funds to get to 2032,’ so we told everyone that. That’s what they said.
“And, you know, I never heard back. And unfortunately, things are going in a different direction. Obviously, they wanted to move on.”
DeChambeau said a potential merger between the tours would require concessions from both sides.
“If we have a great business model and they’re very interested in joining forces, that’s the Kumbaya moment, right?” DeChambeau said. “So it’s our job to come up with a better business plan on the[top companies’]side. Team franchises are profitable enough to sell for close to $200 million today, but that’s not even my team’s story.”
“I think that requires everybody to let their guard down a little bit and everybody come together and say, ‘Okay, what’s best for golf?’
DeChambeau said he is confident LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill and the league’s new independent directors and advisors will develop a solid business plan that will attract new investors.
“There are several different models,” DeChambeau said. “Listen, (the PGA Tour) isn’t doing well either. Let’s face it. They have the media. They’ve got everyone on their side to promote it. But they’re downsizing the arenas, cutting employees, restructuring the business.”
It won’t be long before DeChambeau has to decide on his future. His contract with LIV Golf expires at the end of this season.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” DeChambeau said when asked if he was concerned about PIF not paying the remainder of his contract.
Earlier Tuesday, O’Neal was asked if DeChambeau would sign a new contract before putting LIV Golf on the market.
“Well, that’s an interesting question,” O’Neill said. “I’m not sure. We’ll sort it out and figure it out. Thank you for the question. Bryson is special. He’s different and special. … He’s smart, he’s driven, he’s dedicated, and he’s a great partner.”
