Bryson DeChambeau's LIV Golf teammate: "I think it'll be okay"

Bryson DeChambeau’s LIV Golf teammate Charles Howell III believes many players will remain committed to the breakaway tour - even if prize purses are significantly reduced from 2027.

Since its launch in 2022, LIV Golf has offered hefty purses ranging between $25m and $30m. 

But there is a growing acceptance that, for the league to survive, players may need to compete for less prize money on a streamlined schedule.

Former Open champion Cameron Smith told The Mirror ahead of LIV's event at Valderrama that the current purses are "far-fetched" and will need to come down.

Howell agrees - and told FlushingIt that the LIV players will still buy into the project, provided the schedule remains appealing.

He added: "But, listen, I'm at a different point in my career. I'll be 47 in June. So I want to stay on LIV. I want LIV to work. I want LIV to be better than ever.

"And I'm having a blast. I don't like speaking for other players, but I think they're having a blast too. Collectively, you've got 50-plus guys out here who want this to succeed.

"And we have one of our biggest assets in Bryson DeChambeau, working hard to help make it work. So it's cool to see."

LIV Golf reportedly hit the market with their business plan this week and DeChambeau, 32, has personally been involved in making pitches to potential investors. 

It followed a period whereby the league shuffled to their leadership team.

LIV Golf's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, has a new right-hand man. 

Howell added: "Scott O'Neil has been awesome. And man, he stepped into this role, and he's working his tail off. 

"Us players see that, and we love it. And I love that his communication is open communication. 

"Telling us (the players), what's going on, where he's at, and what he's doing. 

"There's not one player out here that's upset, and that doesn't like playing golf out here. 

"We have a lot of positives, a lot of things going for us. 

"With Scott and the team, Chris Heck, Katie O’Reilly, Ollie Banks, Rich Marsh. 

"We have a wonderful team up top, and, yeah, I think it'll be okay."

What did Cameron Smith say?

Cameron Smith spoke to The Mirror ahead of LIV's stop in Spain. 

The Aussie, who recently laughed off retirement rumours if LIV were to fold, told the publication that he would have no issue if there was a significant reduction in prize money. 

The 2022 Open champion acknowledged professional golfers have been spoiled for the last five years. 

He added: but I think realistically, it's time for everything to come back to the way it was

"It was obviously not working, and it's pretty far-fetched, realistically. So we'll see what happens. I'm sure there are going to be a lot of changes, particularly with prize money next year."

Smith also urged LIV 2.0 to lean into the team aspect. 

"I think LIV is trying to be different, and through tough times, you lean toward what's worked in the past," he said. 

"I feel as though we really have to lean into the team stuff.