DeChambeau plots route back to PGA Tour for LIV Golf stars amid Saudi talks
Bryson DeChambeau believes the PGA Tour's new 'signature events' could prove to perfect way to integrate LIV Golf players back onto the American-based circuit.
DeChambeau is one of a number of big names who had his PGA Tour membership suspended after opting to join the LIV setup last summer. He joined the likes of Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka in giving up their Tour playing rights, but the framework agreement announced on June 6 appeared to re-open the door for DeChambeau and co.
The agreement currently being negotiated between the Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is set to allow players from the LIV setup to reapply for their PGA Tour membership.
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it remains to be seen what this pathway back will look like, but the former U.S. Open champion has proposed one idea. "What I could see is LIV integrating into the signature series on the PGA Tour in some capacity," he told the Rick Shiels Golf Show podcast.
"Having two championships in one, where you have the individual component in the signature series, and you have the team side of it. You have the teams you’re playing for, so no matter what on that final day that guy that’s playing really bad still matters, it’s still a big deal on the team championship aspect of the tournament.
“Then you guys have the individual side that’s still competing for that individual title the way it is currently.” Since its inception at Centurion last June, the LIV brand has prided itself on its team element of competition, and not many have benefited more than DeChambeau, who captained Crushers GC to the Team Championship in October.
Bryson DeChambeau joined LIV Golf last summer (Getty Images)There is no doubt the breakaway league has made great strides in its first two seasons as a professional tour, but DeChambeau would like to see more recognition for the LIV setup, and end their dispute and reunite with the PGA Tour.
"We want to be mainstream,” the former world No. 4 said. “We believe we should be mainstream, we have some of the best golfers in the world that should be highlighted at these events. That would be my blue sky scenario where we integrate, we figure out how to make it all mutually be beneficial and we play for the legacy that’s there with a new idea and concept on top.”
DeChambeau could soon be joined by another top name, with Masters champion Jon Rahm linked with a move to the LIV circuit. Numerous reports have suggested the Spaniard is set to sign a £475 million ($600m) contract with the breakaway league ahead of the 2024 season.
Rahm's LIV rumours were only strengthened on Tuesday, after it was announced the 29-year-old is not part of the PGA Tour's American Express field next month. Rahm's omission is all the more worrying for the Tour, with the Spaniard the defending champion, having won the event by a shot in January.
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