The future of LIV Golf hangs in the balance as the tour faces financial trouble.
As questions linger surrounding whether there is enough funding to support the rest of the LIV Golf calendar year after the Saudi PIF pulled its funding, some of its players want to return to the PGA Tour, including Bryson DeChambeau, per reports.
Although DeChambeau was a blockbuster signing for LIV Golf back in 2022, former United States Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman believes DeChambeau should be required to build his way back up if he is to return to the PGA Tour, including partaking in the Korn Ferry Tour feeder circuit.
“I don’t care who you are. You know, and I love Bryson. I love him, I mean, I think he’s one of my favorite players in the world. I love Bryson, and he’s good enough where, you know, you put him in that position, he’ll work his way back up,” Lehman, a former world No. 1 who won the 1996 British Open, said on the “Beyond the Clubhouse” podcast.
“To put them above the guys who loyally stayed with the Tour and have played on the Tour, who maybe even turned down big money, I think is wrong.”
Earlier this year, Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour with the Returning Members Program, but he had to pay a hefty fine of $5 million and dealt with financial restraints.
Patrick Reed is currently serving a one-year suspension since his last LIV Golf event. He will be back on the Tour in August, but as a non-member; he can apply as a member again in 2027.
DeChambeau could have chosen to participate in the Returning Members Program, but decided to remain with LIV Golf instead. Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith were also eligible, but declined to take part.
DeChambeau’s contract with LIV Golf expires at the end of this year, so he could be set to return to the PGA Tour after that, but his heavy involvement with pitching LIV to potential investors could indicate his desire to stick with LIV through its peaks and valleys.
He will participate in this weekend’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock. The two-time U.S. Open champ last won in 2024 and is in the middle of a five-year exemption.