While Brooks Koepka generated headlines Monday when he announced he was returning to the PGA Tour and leaving LIV Golf, the other headline names in the breakaway league are not following suit.
“I had no idea, no idea that that would happen,” Bryson DeChambeau said, per Mark Schlabach of ESPN. “No idea what the penalties would even be. Right now, I’ve got a contract. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do at LIV Golf this year.”
DeChambeau has one year remaining on his deal with LIV and appeared to have some fun with the situation Tuesday:
Jon Rahm is another headliner with LIV, and Schlabach noted he is believed to have at least two years remaining on his deal.
“I’m not planning on going anywhere,” he said. “[A] very similar answer to what Bryson gave. I wish Brooks the best. As far as I’m concerned, I’m focused on the league and my team this year, and hopefully we can repeat as champions again.”
Cameron Smith echoed those sentiments and said, “I made a decision to come out here and spend more time at home, and I’m not giving that away. I’ll be on LIV for years to come.”
While that trio is staying put, Koepka made his announcement Monday and said, in part, “I believe in where the PGA TOUR is headed with new leadership, new investors, and an equity program that gives players a meaningful ownership stake. I also understand there are financial penalties associated with this decision, and I accept those.”
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp wrote an open letter Monday explaining some of the stipulations to Koepka’s return and highlighting a return pathway as a “one-time, defined window” and “not a precedent for future situations.”
The Returning Member Program gives golfers who have been away from the PGA Tour for at least two years and won either the Players Championship or one of the majors since 2022 the chance to return with financial penalties.
Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith would all be eligible by meeting those requirements, but it doesn’t seem like they plan to leave LIV.
Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour means he has to make a $5 million charitable contribution and forfeit player equity shares for the next five years. What’s more, he isn’t eligible to receive money from the $100 million FedEx Cup bonus program during the 2026 season and has to qualify for the eight signature events without sponsor exemptions.
The LIV season starts Feb. 4, while the PGA Tour season starts Thursday with the Sony Open in Hawaii.