Veteran sports reporter Rex Hoggard has suggested the LIV Golf party “will be over” if Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka leave the breakaway tour.
Both golfers’ contracts with the PIF-backed league expire at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
The major champions joined LIV from the PGA Tour in 2022 after signing deals worth more than $100m, but in recent weeks there have been reports their futures are in doubt.
It is understood that DeChambeau wants to stay put and is fully invested in the future and growth of LIV.
But he may be seeking an even bigger up-front sum of money than he was given three years ago.
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DeChambeau, a two-time U.S. Open champion, was one of the most divisive characters during his PGA Tour days.
But he has seen his popularity soar since he started creating content, clinched a second major win and produced plenty of box-office performances.
Across all of his social media channels, DeChambeau now boasts more than four million followers. His YouTube channel generates tens of millions of views per video.
It doesn’t seem unreasonable to suggest that LIV will be absolutely desperate to keep hold of DeChambeau.
Brooks Koepka
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As for Koepka, Sports Business Journal have reported that the American, 35, is contemplating “sitting out” LIV’s 14-event 2026 season such is his discontent.
Koepka previously admitted he signed with LIV Golf “for the dough”. The offer came in at the same time he feared his career was going to be cut short because of a serious knee injury.
“At least four golf sources indicated there was a chance he may not play in the upcoming LIV season despite being under contract,” SBJ reported.
Koepka has not commented on the claim whilst LIV’s chief executive, Scott O’Neil, addressed the speculation by stating simply that the five-time major winner is “signed for 2026”.
The aforementioned Hoggard, though, believes LIV will be in big trouble if Koepka and DeChambeau are absent from LIV Golf beyond 2026.
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Hoggard suggested the recent speculation surrounding Koepka may be a “negotiating ploy”.
“I think what would signal to the other players on LIV is more telling, because it would show them that no, you’re not consigned to this lot in life just because you took big pot of money,” he told Golf Channel.
“You can come back and this is the way that you could do it.
“That, to me, would be the bigger message that would be sent because, also let’s keep in mind, Bryson DeChambeau’s contract is coming up as well.
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“And you’re right, Brooks may be doing this as a negotiating ploy, I don’t think anybody is really concerned about that right now, because my guess is Scott O’Neil is busy enough trying to figure out how he’s going to re-sign Bryson.
“Because if LIV Golf doesn’t re-sign that one, you’re pulling the plug, the party’s over.”
Bryson DeChambeau
Addressing the same topic on the Straight Facts Homie podcast, Trey Wingo said it “only takes one guy to be the springboard for everybody else”.
“And once that one domino falls, almost in any other situation, whether it’s sports, politics, business, when one guy decides to go the other way, then the next one and the next one and the next one will follow suit,” he said.
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“So it sure looks like Brooks Koepka is going to be the one who starts the leak in the dam.
“And once that leak starts, it gets bigger and bigger and bigger until the dam crumbles.
“So when we say this is what the beginning of the end looks like for LIV, that’s what we’re talking about.”
LIV Golf will begin their fourth full season next February.
As ever, there will be 13 $25m events and a team championship.
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LIV have made plenty of changes for the new season, with relegation being enforced, increased pathways to the league and a change of format.
In 2026, LIV events will be contested over 72 holes instead of 54, putting them in line with the traditional tours.
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