As the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund ends its financial support for LIV Golf following the 2026 season, questions arise about the future of the breakaway league and its top players, including Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
Speaking at LIV Virginia this week, Rahm stated he sees “no way out” of his multi-year contract with LIV. Meanwhile, DeChambeau, whose contract expires after the 2026 season, told multiple outlets like ESPN and Sports Illustrated that he is prepared to focus on growing his YouTube channel and competing in tournaments that “want him” if LIV dissolves. He acknowledged that his team has had discussions with the PGA Tour but declined to reveal details. According to Skratch, the two-time U.S. Open champion said the decision ultimately rests with PGA Tour members on whether they would welcome him back.
On the latest episode of the Subpar podcast, Golf Channel’s Gary Williams weighed in on LIV’s future and whether DeChambeau is genuinely considering a shift to YouTube and major-only play.
“No, not in full,” Williams told hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. “He’s being him. He’s also the guy who, during his rise, became obsessive about long drives and started entering long drive contests. People thought that would hurt his scoring. But no, he won’t do that.”
Williams expressed disappointment if DeChambeau prioritized YouTube over professional golf, especially since he is in the prime of his major championship career.
“It’s funny that he’s suggesting [focusing on YouTube],” Williams said. “If he does that, it’s disappointing because he has figured out Augusta National to a degree where he had almost no clue how to solve that puzzle. He contends in nearly every major. He’s always a factor at the U.S. Open and likely at the PGA. He’s a sure bet to be near the top of the leaderboard in majors. I give him credit for that. But if he does that, he won’t keep contending in majors. That’s unfortunate because major championship prime windows don’t last as long as people think.”
When Brooks Koepka left LIV for the PGA Tour last December, DeChambeau held significant leverage in contract talks with LIV and the PIF. Now that the PIF is out, Williams believes the PGA Tour is DeChambeau’s only realistic option, and that leverage is gone.
“But what’s happened to him, my analogy is that he thought the Yankees and Dodgers were both bidding for him, but now the Dodgers—the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund—are no longer interested,” Williams said. “So are the Yankees, the PGA Tour, going to bid against themselves? No, they are not.”
