Ex-LIV chief Greg Norman: PGA Tour players likely envious of Bryson DeChambeau's success

Former LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman believes there will be plenty of PGA Tour players jealous of Bryson DeChambeau's success on YouTube.

DeChambeau quit the PGA Tour in 2022 and is now undoubtedly one of the most popular players in the game thanks to his box-office performances in the majors and his huge social media following.

The American, who turned 33 today, is closing in on three million subscribers on YouTube and has amassed more than 650m views since the channel's official launch in 2021.

Norman told Golf Digest's Real Deal podcast that he doesn't believe this would have been possible had it not been for LIV Golf.

"I would say Bryson was in the right place at the right time, with the right personality and the right vision," said Norman.

"But he can only have that because of LIV, because we gave him his IP rights.

"When you're not playing a LIV tournament, you can go do whatever you want. You can monetize your IP.

"So he saw this incredible moment in time for himself. And I'm so happy and so pleased for him that he has maximized on that."

Phil Mickelson previously explained that one of his biggest gripes with the PGA Tour was not being able to create content and monetize it, while also objecting to the Tour's control over players' media rights.

He argued that players should have greater control over footage and digital content featuring them and be able to benefit financially from the audiences they built around their own names and images.

Norman said: "If he [DeChambeau] stayed on the PGA Tour, he would have no chance, right, because the PGA Tour would own his IP.

"Unless that's changed in the last couple of years, I'm not too sure.

"I bet you there's a lot of players on the PGA Tour saying, 'Why am I not doing that?' So kudos to him.

"I think he's [DeChambeau] done a phenomenal job with how he's balancing himself with this.

"And again, LIV allowed him to do that because he only had 14 events, so he had the time to focus on other things that could move on in perpetuity for him beyond LIV and the PGA Tour. That's the secret."

But while DeChambeau has been able to make the most of his LIV schedule away from the golf course, he now faces a major decision over his future in the sport.

His LIV contract has reportedly expired. 

LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this month, with a proposed restructuring aimed at allowing the league to return in 2027 with new financial backing. 

DeChambeau is among a number of high-profile LIV players owed millions of dollars by the league.

He has previously indicated that, should LIV Golf fold, he would be prepared to put even more focus into his YouTube channel, saying he would love to grow it three times, or even more.

PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp reiterated at the beginning of the week that there are no plans to create a new returning member program for LIV Golf players.