Why Bryson DeChambeau returning to the PGA Tour may not be as unlikely as it currently seems

As things stand, it appears to be highly likely that Bryson DeChambeau will remain on LIV Golf for 2027, provided that the league does manage to secure fresh investment.

DeChambeau is out of contract at the end of the season.

However, the two-time US Open champion appears to be playing a key role in shaping the league’s future.

He has met with potential investors, while DeChambeau also led a players-only meeting as many within the league seek answers.

If there is one big name LIV can surely rely on to stick around, it is DeChambeau – you would think.

All eyes on Bryson DeChambeau as LIV Golf’s future remains uncertain

But perhaps it is not out of the question that DeChambeau is simply trying to give himself as much leverage as possible.

When Brooks Koepka decided to walk away from LIV Golf last December, DeChambeau hinted that he was open to considering his future. It was reported by The Telegraph shortly after that DeChambeau was demanding $500 million to sign a new contract with LIV.

It seemed that DeChambeau realised that he would rarely be in a better position, with LIV understandably desperate to not lose any more of their star names.

It quickly became clear, however, that DeChambeau stood no chance of receiving a contract offer worth $500 million, with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia deciding to walk away from financing the league.

LIV’s future seems extremely bleak right now. LIV reportedly expect Jon Rahm to leave at the end of the season. Meanwhile, there are no guarantees that their agreement with a lead investor will become an official partnership.

With that, the PGA Tour have absolutely no need to do any player on LIV any favours at all. It is Brian Rolapp and those at Ponte Vedra who hold all of the cards.

Bryson DeChambeau will be aware he has no leverage if he hopes to return to the PGA Tour

If Rahm decides to leave LIV, he will likely have to agree to whatever terms the PGA Tour lay out, even if those terms leave him having to spend 2027 on the DP World Tour.

So DeChambeau may be attempting to do something quite clever. DeChambeau is reportedly all-in on shaping LIV 2.0.

He is sending a message to the PGA Tour, whether it is intentional or not, that he is not desperate to return. If they want him back, they are going to have to be prepared to make him a generous offer.

If they make him jump through a number of hoops to come back, DeChambeau is prepared to stay with LIV and try and turn the league into a success.

There has been so much debate surrounding DeChambeau over the years, with fans trying to determine just how genuine he is. Rory McIlroy accused DeChambeau of being performative during The Open.

So yes, in all likelihood, DeChambeau is working hard behind the scenes because he is convinced that LIV has real potential.

But because it is DeChambeau, you cannot rule out the possibility that there is a masterplan and he is trying to put himself in the strongest position possible in case he would like a PGA Tour return a lot more than he is letting on.