Bryson DeChambeau is comfortable at LIV Golf, sees a future in the Saudi project, and boasts that his franchise, Crushers GC, is an example of how to truly build a team within the league (without directly mentioning him, it’s impossible not to compare with Brooks Koepka and his lack of attachment to his team). However, at the same time, he makes it clear that his renewal will not be a mere formality. Far from it. LIV Golf will have to work hard.
In an interview with Tom Hobbs from the X channel Flushing It, the American outlines the scenario with a mix of satisfaction and demand: he is “delighted” with the direction of his team, claims that by 2025 they have surpassed 20 million dollars in revenue and have had several seasons with positive EBITDA, but at the same time hints that there are still pending conversations, that “things need to change,” and above all, that he doesn’t feel he has much of a voice in important decisions.
In other words: Bryson is in, but he won’t sign at the first opportunity.
“I’m not expanding too quickly… we are a machine”
DeChambeau uses the Crushers as his main argument. In an ecosystem where the real value of franchises has been much debated, Bryson counters with figures and a message very much directed at the league’s leadership.
“The Crushers have been doing very well,” he explains. “We have hired a General Manager and are going to hire more people this year, but slowly. I’m not expanding too quickly, like some teams. We are a lean and effective machine. We have had positive EBITDA for the last few seasons and our revenues are above 20 million dollars… and next year it will be even more.”
The figure is surprising. Twenty million in 2025 is a statement of strength at a time when, both inside and outside of golf, the commercial viability of LIV and its team structure has been persistently questioned. Bryson, at least, is selling that his model works… and that puts him in a strong position when it comes to contract renewal talks.
The renewal won’t be easy: “It has to be right”
And here comes the part that gives meaning to the standoff. DeChambeau insists that he wants to stay, that “team golf” appeals to him, and that the league seems like a project with potential. He even goes so far as to say that this is where he “sets his home.” But in the same response, he introduces the condition: “it has to make sense for everyone”. He won’t renew just any way. We’re talking about economic matters and influence in decision-making.
“The opportunities in LIV and the ability to grow team golf are so interesting to me that this is where I set my base,” he says. “It’s where I want to be, but ultimately it has to make sense for everyone. Because I could also do YouTube golf and be perfectly fine.” He makes it clear that he doesn’t need LIV Golf.
It’s a warning with two interpretations. The first, obvious: Bryson knows he has a market and alternatives today. The second, more subtle: if LIV wants to retain him, they will have to meet his demands. And those demands, judging by the tone of the conversation, point to money… and influence within the project.
“I don’t have much of a voice… sometimes I wish I had more”
When Hobbs asks him if he sees the possibility of closing the deal before Riyadh (the first tournament of the year in February), Bryson cools the scenario and links it to the Koepka upheaval.
“I don’t know if before Riyadh… there are many things to review,” he explains. “With Brooks’ departure, certainly, unique situations arise. I want to grow team golf worldwide, but it has to be right. And there are many things that need to be done to make it right… Things need to change. Things need to improve.”
And, immediately after, comes a phrase that sounds like an internal message: DeChambeau acknowledges that he is not consulted much.
“I’m not running this at all. The truth is I don’t have much of a voice… sometimes I wish I had more, but that’s life. I’m not running the organization,” he explains, before pointing out that he trusts Scott O’Neil, Katie O’Reilly, and Chris Heck, the main leaders of LIV Golf, to make decisions.
In other words: the renewal goes beyond a figure.
Koepka: “It wasn’t on my roadmap…”
The other major topic of the interview is the departure of Brooks Koepka, which DeChambeau admits caught him off guard.
“There were always rumours, but it was a shock when I saw it,” he recounts. “I didn’t know it was going to happen on that particular day. It wasn’t on my roadmap for December 23rd.”
And when the possible return of Koepka to the PGA Tour is addressed, Bryson is clear: if they return, they should do so through the normal procedure. No special treatment. Brooks and he never had the best relationship in the world.
“I don’t know what they should allow or not… If they’re going to do it according to the rules, they should do it according to the rules and not give any special exemption,” he explains. “Because if there’s a special exemption, it opens the doors for others to do the same… it’s a slippery slope.”
A clear message: LIV will have to work hard for the signature
The summary of everything Bryson leaves in the interview is simple: DeChambeau is happy, believes in LIV, and boasts that his franchise is a profitable model. But he also positions himself in negotiation mode. He has arguments, he has figures, he has media influence… and he doesn’t seem willing to sign without adjusting several pieces. So much so that he also hesitates to envision a future without LIV Golf. With Koepka’s departure, he knows he is in an even stronger position and won’t miss the opportunity.
LIV Golf faces one of those renewals that cannot be resolved with a smile and a handshake. With Bryson, the bill—in every sense—could be more expensive.
