Brooks Koepka‘s return to the PGA Tour was big news, but what Bryson DeChambeau said afterwards might matter even more. At LIV’s preseason event, he not only clarified his position on moving to the PGA Tour but also highlighted the issues the Saudi-backed league must address.
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“I’m contracted through 2026, so I’m excited about this year,” said DeChambeau at the captain’s press conference. And when pressed if he’d sign a new deal before the season opener in Riyadh, he admitted he “didn’t know” if that would happen.
For a guy who is one of the famous names in LIV, that’s a little cold. DeChambeau’s contract will expire after this season. Along with his confirmation came what’s bothering him, especially after the new Returning Member Program by the PGA Tour.
“We have to get to a place where both parties have a good understanding of one another,” as reported by Express UK. “It is getting to a place that makes sense for both sides. And I think that can happen, but you never know.”
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Then came the real gut punch! For him, Koepka’s departure was a “slippery slope” right from the beginning if the PGA Tour starts letting LIV guys back without consequences. He is now watching how this plays out because it affects the whole structure. Although Koepka did not join without consequences, the 2x US Open winner still believes that things have got to change and improve for everyone to benefit.
It’s not the first time DeChambeau has asked for things to get better. Back in July 2025, he had previously called for changes to LIV’s structure, such as adding more pathways, integrating globally, and improving the competition to make it better and help more people learn about it. LIV Golf has listened and has been actively working to improve the league.
From this season, its events would go from the usual 54 holes to 72 holes. This would make them more like established Tours and give them a better chance of getting Official World Golf Ranking points. Players and officials, including Jon Rahm, have called the change an important step toward legitimacy and more competition.
Other eligible golfers under the Returning Member Programme, who have till February 2nd to decide, also talked about their future with LIV.
“I’m not planning on going anywhere. I’m focused on LIV for this year,” Jon Rahm said.
Cam Smith echoed that commitment: “I made a decision to come here, and I stand by it.”
For now, the movement of Bryson DeChambeau to the PGA Tour is uncertain. But he has his eyes fixed on his 2026 goal.
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Bryson DeChambeau: Leading Crushers GC into 2026 season
Bryson DeChambeau didn’t just talk about LIV at the conference; he also painted a picture of Crushers GC’s identity. “I’m very excited to be the captain of the Crushers and continue our legacy,” he said, showing how much he believes in the team’s ability to keep going and compete in 2026. For the fifth consecutive season, Crushers GC has kept its core roster, which includes Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri. This gives DeChambeau a stable base to build on with experience and teamwork.
Crushers GC showed in 2025 that staying the same leads to results. They came in second overall and won three straight matches in Korea, Virginia, and Dallas. Their best performance was at LIV Golf Korea, where DeChambeau won both the individual and team titles, posting a score well ahead of the rest of the field.
Along with Bryson, Howell, Casey, and Lahiri all scored important points to make the Crushers one of the most balanced teams in LIV.
Crushers GC is feeling good about 2026 after winning eight regular-season team titles, tying them for the most successful franchise in LIV Golf. With Bryson DeChambeau as captain, Casey as a top-ten player, and Lahiri as a steady veteran, the team is set up to be a contender for a long time. Now the question isn’t if Crushers can compete, but if they can lift the trophy?
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