Bryson DeChambeau forced into LIV Golf Korea change after player withdrawal

Bryson DeChambeau has been forced into a late change to his Crushers GC lineup at LIV Golf Korea after teammate Paul Casey withdrew through injury on Wednesday.

Casey, 48, pulled out of this week’s event at Asiad Country Club in Busan with a wrist injury, a day before the start of the tournament. 

Australian Travis Smyth has been called up as Casey’s replacement for the eighth LIV Golf event of the 2026 season.

Smyth will now line up alongside Crushers captain DeChambeau, Anirban Lahiri and Charles Howell III in Busan.

Smyth, 31, is no stranger to the LIV Golf setup having first appeared during the league’s inaugural 2022 campaign, earning starts in three events after impressing on the Asian Tour.

He worked his way back into the LIV Golf picture in 2026 following a breakthrough victory at International Series Japan last month, leading to a recent appearance as an individual wildcard player where he finished tied 49th at LIV Golf Mexico.

Smyth arrives in Korea with four professional titles to his name, including two wins on the Asian Tour.

Casey has recorded three top-20 finishes so far this season but is still searching for his first LIV Golf title after joining the breakaway circuit at its launch in 2022.

Casey's withdrawal comes during a period of growing uncertainty surrounding both DeChambeau and LIV Golf itself.

DeChambeau’s current LIV Golf contract expires at the end of the season, with the two-time major champion continuing to weigh up his future amid the success of his rapidly growing YouTube channel and content business.

Meanwhile, LIV Golf’s long-term future remains under scrutiny after reports the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) will not continue funding the league beyond the current season.

Casey is not the only English star absent in Korea this week.

Tyrrell Hatton is also missing the tournament after opting to stay at home following the birth of his first child with wife Emily. 

Hatton’s management company, Modest Golf, confirmed the news to GolfMagic earlier this week, with the Ryder Cup hero expected to return at LIV Golf Andalucia next week.

German golfer Max Rottluff has replaced Hatton in the field.