Bryson DeChambeau breaks silence on LIV Golf bankruptcy with major 2.0 update

Bryson DeChambeau has broken his silence on LIV Golf’s bankruptcy, insisting the breakaway league’s proposed 2.0 era is “going to be done right” as he outlined his hopes for a sustainable future beyond 2026.

The two-time US Open champion, who has been part of LIV Golf since its inaugural season in 2022, made the comments during an appearance on Raj Shamani’s Figuring Out podcast (scroll down to watch), which was released just 24 hours after the deadline for players to commit to the league’s next chapter.

Despite mounting uncertainty and a growing list of high-profile departures, DeChambeau appears fully committed to LIV Golf’s future and believes its revised business model could finally provide the foundations for long-term success.

The Crushers GC captain is the biggest name remaining on LIV Golf following a remarkable exodus of major champions and established players.

Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Lucas Herbert have all confirmed their exits, as too Charles Howell III, who had been representing DeChambeau's Crushers GC. 

LIV Golf's record nine-time winner Joaquin Niemann is also expected to leave. 

However, DeChambeau has made it clear that he believes there is still plenty worth saving.

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Speaking about his experience with LIV Golf, the 33-year-old American admitted that while the team-based concept appealed to him from the beginning, the organisation's previous financial structure under the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) was not managed effectively.

“The point of it is that the team golf stuff, I was very excited about,” DeChambeau told Shamani. 

“I really care, and I still do care deeply about the team golf stuff, and the top co just wasn't really managed that effectively, and I know that now.”

DeChambeau then went on to reveal some interesting financial figures from his experience with Crushers GC, claiming the team generated almost $29 million in revenue last year.

According to the two-time major champion, the team recorded approximately $21 million in costs, including player payments, expenses and travel, leaving around $8 million in EBITDA.

However, he suggested that problems at the league's central management level ultimately created difficulties for the individual teams.

“Our teams were doing very well. Like our teams, we generated almost $29 million last year in revenue. We had $21 million in cost just from payment of players and expenses and travel and everything.

“So we made $8 million EBITDA last year, and the teams were doing well, but then all the player payments and everything got pushed down to the teams when they went bankrupt because the top co wasn't being run effectively.”

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to watch DeChambeau's latest LIV Golf comments in full...

DeChambeau also acknowledged that players had initially expected considerably more financial backing from those funding the league.

He added that the new structure would be different, with greater emphasis on governance and financial responsibility rather than simply relying on substantial upfront payments.

“But the business model makes a lot of sense, and we're actually working through that right now for this new model where it will make full financial sense.

“It's no funny business, no nothing. It's going to be done right, and this is going to be a league, hopefully, that exists forever.”

Those comments offer perhaps the clearest indication yet of DeChambeau's confidence in LIV 2.0, which is expected to launch in early 2027 with financial backing from BC Partners Credit.

The proposed restructuring follows the PIF announcing that it would withdraw its funding beyond the 2026 season.

LIV subsequently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey on September 8, with court documents estimating liabilities of between $500 million and $1 billion.

PIF, which owns 100 per cent of LIV Golf's equity, has reportedly invested more than $5 billion in the organisation since its launch in June 2022.

BC Partners Credit has since emerged as a financial lifeline, with a restructuring agreement providing for up to $300 million in loans, investments and financing.

Under the proposed ownership arrangement, players would collectively receive a 52.5 per cent stake in the restructured league, while BC Partners and minority investors would hold 45 per cent. Management would retain the remaining 2.5 per cent.

The intention is to give players greater control over the competition's direction and financial future.

However, uncertainty remains away from the negotiating table.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges, the law firm representing DeChambeau and a group of LIV Golf players in the bankruptcy proceedings, has reportedly recommended an orderly wind-down of its operations following partner departures and unsuccessful merger discussions with Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

Although the development is not expected to force DeChambeau and his fellow players to change legal representation, it represents another complication during an already turbulent period.

Nevertheless, DeChambeau insisted that the new LIV model would not be built around confrontation with the established tours.

“It's not combative. We're not trying to compete against the Tour. We want to be accretive. We want to bring value to anywhere and everywhere in the golf market across the world,” he told Shamani. 

DeChambeau also explained that LIV 2.0 players would have greater governance and control under the proposed structure, even if that meant receiving less money upfront.

“It's more the opposite. We're not really getting paid, but we do have the governance, you know, control.”

Whether LIV 2.0 can deliver on those promises remains to be seen, particularly given the number of major names already heading for the exit.

But DeChambeau's latest comments suggest he is prepared to back the project and help shape its next chapter.

Away from LIV Golf, the American also discussed his mindset, loneliness, dealing with criticism, his passion for golf equipment, the death of his father, relationships and his two US Open victories during the wide-ranging podcast appearance.

Watch the full interview on Raj Shamani's Figuring Out podcast below, with DeChambeau's LIV Golf comments beginning at 1:06. 

Do you reckon LIV 2.0 will prove a hit and last forever? Or will the new era struggle to build any momentum given the loss of star names? Share your thoughts and comments below, or head over on GolfMagic's social media channels - @GolfMagic