Bryson DeChambeau makes expected LIV Golf announcement

Bryson DeChambeau has confirmed he will play LIV Golf in 2026 but stopped short of declaring whether he has signed a new contract. 

DeChambeau, 32, and fellow two-time major champion Jon Rahm, are now LIV Golf's biggest assets following Brooks Koepka's departure.

The 2024 U.S. Open winner has 12 months remaining on the reported $120m deal he penned four years ago after he quit the PGA Tour. 

But in recent weeks he has been casting doubt on his future, suggesting the league "has got to improve" before he will put pen to paper. 

The golfer told FlushingIt he could simply concentrate on playing YouTube golf "and still be fine" if he walks away from LIV. 

DeChambeau confirmed on Thursday, though, that he has committed to the 2026 season as the captain of the Crushers. 

The team remains unchanged. Charles Howell III, Anirban Lahiri and Paul Casey will be his teammates. 

"Keeping this core together for 2026 positions us to build on the momentum we carried out of 2025," DeChambeau said. 

"This group knows what it takes to win, we lifted the trophy in 2023 and finished second last season. 

"And that experience fuels our drive to compete at the top week in and week out. 

"We're a team of competitors, creators and leaders who take pride in pushing the game forward. 

"And having this group return gives us continuity, confidence, and a clear direction as we raise our standards heading into next season."

The news comes at a time some may consider a turbulent period for the PIF-backed league. 

With less than a month remaining until LIV's opening event in Saudi Arabia, the biggest news of the off-season was Koepka's decision to walk away. 

Koepka still had a year remaining on the nine-figure contract he signed in 2022 but has stepped away to "prioritise the needs of his family". 

The five-time major winner has not spoken publicly about his decision yet and where he will ply his trade before The Masters is unknown. 

It's likely Koepka will play on the DP World Tour to stay sharp. 

Some have erroneously reported Koepka will be allowed to return to the PGA Tour in August. 

The PGA Tour introduced a rule in January 2023 that subjects golfers to one-year bans if they tee up in "unauthorised events". 

If this were the case then ex-LIV Golf player Hudson Swafford would be permitted to return, but he remains frozen out. 

The truth of the matter is the PGA Tour have not revealed their hand and any decision will need membership approval. 

Swafford recently told Sports Illustrated that Koepka may not be permitted to return to the Tour until 2027 at the earliest. 

LIV Golf have only completed two player signings this winter, though neither are considered star players. 

England's Laurie Canter, ranked 59th in the world, has decided to give up playing on the PGA Tour in 2026 to re-join LIV

Canter has linked up with Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield on the re-branded Majesticks quartet. 

His arrival was announced one month after three-time DP World Tour winner Victor Perez joined the breakaway. 

The TImes of London have reported Belgium's Thomas Detry and young Australian pro Elvis Smylie will be the latest additions. 

Detry will reportedly join his compatriot Thomas Pieters on Dustin Johnson's team, with Harold Varner III traded to Smash to replace Koepka. 

Three teams still have vacant spots on their roster. 

Phil Mickelson, Kevin Na and Bubba Watson need to find replacements for Andy Ogletree, Yubin Jang and Ben Campbell. 

Ogletree and Jang were relegated in 2025 and Campbell finished in the "open zone". His contract wasn't renewed. 

LIV Golf players and LIV Golf teams 2026

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