Bryson DeChambeau Planning to Focus on YouTube if LIV Golf Folds After 2026 Season
Bryson DeChambeau currently has exemptions in all the 4 majors until 2029 due to his victory at the 2024 U.S. Open.
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Bryson DeChambeau (Image via Imago)
Bryson DeChambeau already has a contingency plan. If the LIV Golf folds after the 2026 season, the 2-time major champion would choose YouTube and continue to grow his channel instead of returning to the PGA Tour.
In April, reports emerged that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) was pulling the plug on the breakaway league and stopping their funding. Last week, this was confirmed as the LIV Golf league announced new leadership.
Amidst this development, there are rumors that the league could come to an end after this season. Without the financial backing of the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, the league would find itself in a hard place.
As a result of this, several LIV Golfers have reached out to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour about a potential return. DeChambeau, who is in the final year of his deal, is reported to be working with the league over a new contract.
If the parties are unable to reach a deal, DeChambeau could be left alone. If LIV Golf closes down, the golfers will be left without a tour and would be forced to seek pathways from the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
DeChambeau, though, is not too keen on returning to the PGA Tour. When asked what he would do, the American international expressed that he would choose YouTube, grow his social media presence, and play in tournaments that want him.
I think, from my perspective, I’d love to grow my YouTube channel three times, maybe even more. I would love to. I’d love to do a bunch of dubbing in different languages, giving the world more reason to watch YouTube. And then I’d love to play tournaments that want me.
Bryson DeChambeau said as per ESPN
🚨👀⛳️ #BREAKING — Bryson DeChambeau says he is prepared to pursue his YouTube channel’s growth and compete in tournaments “that want me” if LIV Golf folds, adding that he has had conversations with the PGA Tour.
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 5, 2026
“I think, from my perspective, I'd love to grow my YouTube… pic.twitter.com/SFzjl4bXRm
DeChambeau currently has around 2.69 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. One of his famous challenges is the Break 50 challenge, where he teams up with some of the biggest names and tries to shoot a score of 50 or under.
As for his career, DeChambeau currently has a 10-year exemption into the U.S. Open following his 2024 victory. This means he can play in his national Open without worrying about qualifying for it.
Apart from this, he has a 5-year exemption into The Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, and the Open Championship due to his 2024 U.S. Open win. So technically, if LIV Golf does close down and DeChambeau does not return to the PGA Tour, he could continue to create content on YouTube and show up for the 4 majors.
Bryson DeChambeau admits he was shocked to hear about PIF pulling its funding from LIV Golf
The golf world was left stunned when reports emerged that the PIF was stopping its funding of LIV Golf after this season. In the interview with ESPN, Bryson DeChambeau admitted that he was shocked to hear about this.
The LIV Golf was founded in 2021 with PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan serving as the chairman of the league. He brought in former World No.1 golfer Greg Norman and appointed him as the CEO of the league.
The then-54-hole circuit would bring in some of the biggest names from the PGA Tour. Stars like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Brooks Koepka left the PGA Tour on huge contracts. DeChambeau was among the first group of defectors.
Since joining LIV Golf, the golfers faced extreme backlash from fans. While that was expected, one thing DeChambeau did not expect was to see LIV losing its support from the PIF.
I was completely shocked. I didn’t expect it to happen. A couple months before that, it’s like, ‘we’re here until 2032 – we’ve got financing until 2032′
Bryson DeChambeau said as per ESPN
Earlier this year, the 5-time LIV Golf champion had a chance to return to the PGA Tour through the Returning Member Program. However, he snubbed the chance, which allowed Koepka to be reinstated and shifted his focus to the 2026 LIV Golf season.
Bryson DeChambeau claims PGA Tour are not doing great either
There are some dark clouds looming over the future of LIV Golf with the PIF withdrawing its funding. This had led to several speculations regarding golfers returning to the PGA Tour. In the midst of this, Bryson DeChambeau took a shot at the PGA Tour and claimed that they are not doing great either.
After initial reports of PIF pulling their plug came out, CEO Scott O’Neil expressed that there would be some structural changes to the circuit. Earlier this year, they adopted the 72-hole format and started earning some Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) points.
DeChambeau is confident about O’Neil. The Crushers GC captain claimed that the PGA Tour is also struggling at the moment.
Look, the (PGA Tour) isn’t doing great either. Let’s be honest about the situation. They’ve got the media. They’ve got everybody on the side that helps pump it up. But they’re reducing field sizes, cutting employees and restructuring their business too.
Bryson DeChambeau said
In March, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp revealed 6 themes they were working on to improve the tour. This included the season structure, consistent playing fields, and playing in major markets.
A month later, the tour announced laying off 4 percent of its employees. This led to 56 people losing their jobs. So the tour is also going through a phase. However, they do hold the leverage over DeChambeau’s current tour.
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