Tour Confidential: Does Bryson DeChambeau hold the keys to LIV’s future?

Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss LIV Golf’s future as the deadline for players to commit to LIV 2.0 arrives.

In the latest chapter of LIV Golf’s march toward LIV 2.0, several players — Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Louis Oosthuizen among them — have announced they won’t take part in the league next season. Meanwhile, only a few players have publicly committed to the league. There’s a Sunday deadline for players to commit to LIV 2.0, although there appears to be some wiggle room there. Has the latest news cycle made you doubt whether next year happens at all?

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): Of course! Think about what we know. Some of LIV’s biggest names, biggest talents and even original staunch supporters are jumping ship. Some of the highest-profile players who remain are owed millions and are fighting the league to try to get them. Entire teams are out. The funding source is long gone. Its original mission is, too. I guess I don’t quite understand why it would continue at this point, other than as a globetrotting showcase for Bryson and friends or an elaborate tax scheme. 

Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@Schrock_And_Awe): I was already pretty dubious about LIV 2.0’s potential to get off the ground. Once Rahm left, I felt like the league was either DOA or would only exist as a Bryson-focused Net Operating Losses tax scheme. No reason to think otherwise now. 

Jake Morrow, gear content manager (@madefortherange): I don’t think LIV 2.0 has much of a chance. I wish they would understand what they did to chase the path of history for the game of golf and fade into the sunset. Bryson isn’t enough to change that, and I don’t think he has his heart in it anymore.

The most high-profile name still connected to LIV Golf is Bryson DeChambeau, who ESPN reported last week via sources: “remains committed to LIV Golf and is working diligently behind the scenes to bring LIV 2.0 to fruition.” How much power does Bryson hold when it comes to LIV’s future? With no Jon Rahm, is his presence more important than ever?

Dethier: Yeah, there’s a version of this thing that is built around Bryson; that may be the most coherent vision at this point. But it’s Bryson and — who else? Anyway, yeah. Bryson is everything.

Schrock: If LIV has Bryson, they, in theory, have something. What that is, I don’t know. If he leaves, it’s even further in the grave than it already seems.

Morrow: I’ve had the privilege of having personal conversations with Bryson, and his biggest concern is to help grow the game and impact the community. There was a plan for that within the scheme of the original LIV Golf, but it’s long been passed over, and he’s got the growth and resources to pull it off on his own. What he’s shared about what he wants to build is an amazing thing for the game, and I hope he decides to do that rather than stick around to prop up a league that won’t keep its promises.

Also last week, the latest batch of documents released through bankruptcy court offered a more in-depth look at LIV’s finances, including the fact that LIV paid $15.6 million in retention fees to executives before filing for bankruptcy and that even Cameron Young had signed an intent-to-play agreement before backing out. What was the most revealing or interesting nugget from the released documents?

Dethier: I dunno, just a number of reminders that bankruptcy can be nasty business. The guys in charge get paid exorbitant sums while the league runs aground and vendors get stiffed? Not exactly a feel-good story. 

Schrock: Not super surprised that some white collars who took money to run a league that was a soft-power exercise filled their pockets while stiffing vendors. The Cam Young intent to play was moderately interesting given where his career is at now and how different things could’ve been. Big win for the PGA Tour there. 

Morrow: My favorite part was how many “LIV Sucks” domains they bought out to make sure nobody else could prop up websites.

TGL, the simulator golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, is preparing for a third season and just announced team rosters. New players are in, some are out, with a whole new team created in Detroit. Are you surprised there’s been enough interest in TGL to now begin a third season? What’s the league done well?

Dethier: The league has taken advantage of a void in the sports calendar, it hasn’t taken itself overly seriously (mostly), and it has showcased some of the sport’s top stars in a different setting. Plus, it has Tiger and Rory involved. I’d love to see them find a way to make the schedule more reliable so you know exactly where and when to find it each week — and as the league continues to expand, I’m curious if general interest will stagnate or grow with it.

Schrock: As GOLF.com’s resident TGL appreciator, I’m not surprised. I feel like after a clunky first five or six weeks, they really kind of found out who they are. They have been nimble, made changes and gotten player buy-in. I think getting guys like Jackson Koivun, Blades Brown and Michael Brennan shows there’s more interest among players and a demographic of fans than you might think. They have Tiger as a trump card. There’s a clear ceiling for interest, but they have found a nice spot in the sports calendar and created a product that is fun and competitive, different from normal golf, and speaks to a different audience. Doesn’t have to be for everyone. 

Morrow: I don’t think it actually is holding interest or growing. It’s like a chain store that keeps opening up locations so their books even out. The audience numbers aren’t really there, the social following is pretty dim. They should have mixed the girls in with the guys. Charlie Hull talking trash to Xander would have been good TV.

The field for December’s Hero World Challenge is set, and while host Tiger Woods is not in the field, there are three open spots left to be filled as the tournament gets closer. Give me your percentage chance Woods takes one of those spots himself and makes it his first start since the 2024 Open Championship?

Dethier: I’ll cop out and call it 50/50. Tiger has clearly been playing some golf. I imagine he has Hero, PNC, TGL, Riviera and Augusta National marked on his calendar. I have no idea his current level of desire to tee it up in competitive stroke-play golf. But we have nearly 50 years of evidence suggesting it’s probably still pretty damn high.

Schrock: It’s hard to say. 50/50 is probably the right call, DD. I’m going to say no. He’ll speak at the press conference and say he’s still focusing on things outside of golf and that his game needs to be sharp to compete. But the Hero is a nice soft landing for his re-entry should he desire. 

Morrow: Fine, I’ll be the negative nelly. I think there’s 0% chance he plays. There’s a larger chance that he invites Jackson Koivun or Blades Brown to play. I’d give Jordan Speith a higher chance of being invited than Tiger inviting himself to play.