Give LIV Golf ‘one more shot’, says Bryson DeChambeau

LOS ANGELES – Bryson DeChambeau has urged the golf world to give the divisive breakaway LIV tour “one more shot” as it scrambles to stay afloat into 2027.

LIV Golf began in 2022 and lured some of the sport’s top names from the traditional PGA Tour, which banned LIV golfers from its events.

But it recently lost its Saudi backers, was forced to cancel its season-ending team championship event, and is exploring a slimmed-down schedule with new investors for 2027.

Several players have been linked with possible returns to the PGA Tour and other circuits.

LIV talisman DeChambeau’s future is seen as particularly critical to the survival of the series.

“I hope people can see that we actually bring value to the game of golf,” said the 32-year-old American at this week’s LIV Indianapolis event. “My wish is that people give us one more shot and be open-minded.”

His comments followed an interview with Rory McIlroy this week, in which the six-time Major winner and Northern Irishman openly questioned whether the likes of DeChambeau have ever “brought value” to LIV Golf.

LIV reportedly spent more than US$5 billion (S$6.4 billion) from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund between 2021 and 2026 to lure golf’s biggest names, before its Middle Eastern backers pulled the plug.

Chief executive officer Scott O’Neil this week outlined proposals for a “2.0” version going forward under new investors, including a shorter season, with smaller prize pots, but offering its players greater equity.

He confirmed that LIV players had been given a deadline to sign up for next season but declined to provide details.

“Look, it’s tough. It’s not easy. We definitely have a lot against us,” said DeChambeau.

“But I think behind the scenes we’ve got a lot of people that are working hard to make this possible, for not only all the players that are out here, but all the fans that have come out to these events.”

LIV has frequently touted the record crowds it drew to events in 2026 in underserved golf markets including Australia and South Africa, and says it has been successful at drawing younger fans who are new to the sport.

“I think we just have a bit of a responsibility to continue to show this,” said DeChambeau, a two-time Major winner who has his own popular YouTube channel.

“If it works, it works; awesome. If it doesn’t, we’ll figure things out. Time will move on, and I would say that time heals things.”

Meanwhile, in the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship, Wyndham Clark moved into the solo lead with another bogey-free six-under 64 for a 12-under 128 on Aug 21, with McIlroy among the chasing pack at the second event of the PGA Tour’s FedExCup play-offs.

One of five overnight leaders, Clark edged clear of the field with a birdie on the 17th after narrowly missing a long uphill eagle putt at Bellerive Country Club in St Louis, Missouri.

A comfortable par from a fairway bunker on the last completed the 32-year-old American’s first bogey-free opening 36 holes at a PGA Tour event.

“Even though I missed some more fairways today, the misses were in good spots,” said Clark.

“I feel like my putter still hasn’t got hot yet, so it would be nice if it does on the weekend. But I played really good, solid golf.”

Clark, who won his second US Open title in June, hit the midway point at 12-under par, one stroke clear of former US Open winner Gary Woodland, who finished with back-to-back birdies after some wayward tee shots for a 65.

Another overnight co-leader J.J. Spaun (66) finished third, two shots behind Clark.

Chris Gotterup (67) was a further shot back alongside South Korean Im Sung-jae (64), followed by Michael Thorbjornsen (66) and Patrick Cantlay (65) on eight under.

Fellow overnight co-leader McIlroy remained in the hunt, tied for eighth and five strokes behind Clark with a round of 69. AFP