LIV Golf: Bryson DeChambeau believes PGA Tour return could revolve around whether players want him back

Bryson DeChambeau believes his potential return to the PGA Tour could hinge on whether the American circuit's players are interested in welcoming him back.

After Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced it was cutting its funding for LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season, multiple players in the rebel league is assessing its options. Sky Sports understands some have sounded out the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour about being reinstated.

DeChambeau, who is one of the rebel league's biggest stars, has been locked in contract negotiations with LIV Golf officials for some time, with his current deal set to expire at the end of this year.

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His future remains uncertain, with DeChambeau explaining earlier this week during the pro-am at LIV Golf Virginia that it would be "unfortunate" if the PGA Tour issued him with fines or punishments as part of a deal for him to rejoin the American circuit.

It is no secret that PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp is keen to lure the likes of DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith back to the American circuit, having already tried to do so this year through the Returning Members Programme, which Brooks Koepka signed up to in January.

On Wednesday, DeChambeau spoke again about what a potential return to the PGA Tour could look like. The American explained there could be a few sticking points that could make his route back to the tour difficult.

"I think there's a way to solve any problem," DeChambeau told Garrett Johnson of Skratch.

"It's really about whether the membership wants me back and if they just want me back. That's what it's about.

"I don't even think it's [PGA Tour CEO] Brian Rolapp or anybody like one of the top executives, it's really if the players want me back and if not, then I understand that."

Bryson, YouTube and the PGA Tour

Earlier in the week, DeChambeau also spoke about the possibility of spending more of his time growing his YouTube channel when asked what he would do if he did not renew his LIV contract.

The American currently has 2.69m subscribers on the social media platform, and has filmed content with US President Donald Trump, seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz and four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry.

"I think, from my perspective, I'd love to grow my YouTube channel three times, maybe even more," DeChambeau told ESPN.

"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.

"The egos need to get dropped. Everybody needs to come in with a level-headed playing field, with an opportunistic mindset to grow the game of golf. That's why I came over here. That's why I do what I do on YouTube."

However, on Wednesday, he said that the PGA Tour may prevent him from filming YouTube content during the week of a tour event, as part of the circuit's social media policy.

"So, if I were to film a video during the week of one of their events with a content creator or a celebrity, that would be in violation [of the PGA Tour's social media policy], to my knowledge," DeChambeau said to Skratch.

"It's their policy; they didn't let me do it when I was on there. I asked various times.

"They didn't let Grant Horvat or Garrett Clark do some videos during the Monday and Tuesday practice rounds. That's the truth."

Horvat and Clark were allowed to "operate under different guidelines", the PGA Tour told Skratch, given that the pair are not members. The outlet added that the tour's social media policy states players are not allowed to post or film content on tournament days, but can do so during practice rounds and pro-am events.

"It's one of them," DeChambeau told Skratch. "If you look at it, it's affiliate marketing, so me being able to create content on that golf course that week at that event should only bring value to the tournament, and that's what I care about most, entertaining as I've always said from day one."

Earlier in the week, DeChambeau had met with US President Donald Trump and Gary Player at the White House to speak as part of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. He and Player, aged 90, also had a push-up contest.

Speaking on how he learned that the PIF would be ending its financial backing of LIV Golf.

"I was completely shocked," DeChambeau said. "I didn't expect it to happen. A couple of months before that, it's like, 'We're here until 2032. We've got financing until 2032,' and so I told everybody, and that's what I was told.

"And then, you know, I haven't had any communication. Unfortunately, things are moving in a different direction. Obviously, they wanted to move on.

"If we have a great business model and they're [PGA Tour, DP World Tour] very interested in combining forces, that's the Kumbaya moment, right?

"So, it's our job to come up with a better business plan on the [top company] side. The team franchises, there's enough making profit now to where we could sell them for close to $200m (£147m), and that's not talking about my team either.

"I think it requires a little bit of everybody kind of just lowering their guards and all coming together and going: 'OK, what's best for the game of golf?'"

DeChambeau won the 2023 US Open, meaning he has an exemption there until 2033. Yet, he is only guaranteed entries to The Masters, The Open and The PGA until 2028.

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(c) Sky Sports 2026: LIV Golf: Bryson DeChambeau believes PGA Tour return could revolve around whether players want him back