Bryson DeChambeau sends clear message to Jon Rahm as Spaniard mulls LIV Golf offer

Bryson DeChambeau appeared to indicate LIV Golf can survive even if star player Jon Rahm decides to walk away.

The future of the breakaway tour is hanging in the balance.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed in April that it would pull the plug on its funding after the end of the season.

LIV Golf have an agreement in place with a new lead investor to take the league forward "onto its next chapter" in 2027, but it's understood that players will need to commit to the 2.0 version of the tour by 1 September. 

Players have been promised equity under the deal with the investor, but what that equates to remains unknown. 

Rahm's future has been the subject of fervent speculation for months, with Telegraph Sport reporting earlier in the month that LIV officials are resigned to losing the two-time major winner.

DeChambeau has led the fight for LIV's survival, including attending pitches to potential investors.

He told former tour pro Oliver Wilson of TNT Sports that he believes there is "100 per cent a way forward" if a couple of the big names leave, adding: "I think it's dependent upon the quality of players.

"It has to be. You know, we can't lose all of them, obviously. But a few can go.

"And there's a system in place to where we can still have the investor raise the capital necessary based on a certain type of player and who the players are.

"And so there's three different scenarios from what I know.

"Maybe there's more. Maybe there's not. But from what I've heard, it's three different scenarios for players to be here that allow for the investment to go through."

DeChambeau said he's not a fan of the "zero-sum game" that is being played right now in men's professional golf.

"We're not here to destroy," he added.

"We're not here to take over. We're not here to do anything. We're only here to bring value.

"And so I think as time goes on, I think people will see the value in team golf. Albeit, people have said they don't see it.

"I think there's a lot of people that have been impacted in a really positive way around the world because of team golf.

"And hopefully we can continue that trend. Again, there's still an individual component to it. We're playing team golf as well.

"And I think next year, you know, if everything works out, you'll see a format that is really inclusive and opportunistic for the whole world of golf."

LIV Golf chief pleads for cooperation

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil addressed reporters on Wednesday ahead of their season finale in Indianapolis. 

Their planned $40m Team Championship, slated for 27-30 August, was cancelled. 

LIV claim the decision was made so they can focus on their next chapter. 

O'Neil said he "wouldn't bet against it" when asked if he had confidence LIV will continue in 2027. 

And the former NFL boss struck a completely different tone to his predecessor, Greg Norman.

"Golf certainly doesn't need another five years of fighting," O'Neil said. 

"Golf doesn't need one tour to win and everyone else to lose. 

"We shouldn't live in a world where one group of golfers is uniquely restricted from playing elsewhere. 

"Our goal isn't to replace or restrict any tour."

O'Neil was also about reports that the DP World Tour is set to resume its policy of fining and suspending LIV players in 2027. 

He said he believes it is "counter to where LIV Golf is going" and hopes the golf world understands the value of inviting LIV players to other events.