Rahm and DeChambeau break silence on LIV Golf futures after Koepka exit

Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith have all moved quickly to cool speculation they could follow Brooks Koepka back to the PGA Tour, confirming they remain committed to LIV Golf and are focused on leading their teams into 2026.

Their comments came 24 hours after the PGA Tour confirmed Koepka’s dramatic return, following his decision to quit LIV Golf on 23 December.

On Monday, the PGA Tour unveiled a new time-sensitive returning members policy, announced by newly appointed CEO Brian Rolapp, which allows select LIV players to apply for reinstatement. 

The rule only applies to players who won a major or The Players Championship between 2022 and 2025 — a group that includes Koepka, Rahm, DeChambeau and Cameron Smith.

Eligible players have until 2 February to make their decision, a deadline that falls just days before LIV Golf’s opening event of the season.

Koepka has already acted, confirming he will make his PGA Tour comeback at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in two weeks.

That move has immediately placed the spotlight on LIV’s remaining marquee names.

However, speaking at a LIV Golf captains’ press conference in Florida on Tuesday, Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith were unequivocal.

“I’m contracted through 2026, so excited about this year,” DeChambeau told reporters. 

Sitting alongside him, Rahm echoed the sentiment: “Yeah, I’m not planning on going anywhere — very similar answer to what Bryson gave.

“I wish Brooks the best, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m focused on LIV for this year and hoping my team can repeat as champs.”

Former Open champion Smith then went even further in his own interview by confirming he plans to remain on LIV Golf “for years to come.”

Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith are central figures on the LIV Golf League. 

DeChambeau captains Crushers GC, Rahm leads Legion XIII, and Smith heads up Ripper. 

With Koepka gone, DeChambeau and Rahm are widely regarded as LIV Golf’s biggest remaining superstars.

Is Bryson really sticking with LIV? 

DeChambeau has added intrigue to his latest quotes to reporters given he has posted a cryptic message on his Instagram Story.

That's after he posted an image of himself shrugging in front of an exit sign alongside the caption: “What would you do?” 

The post has somewhat fuelled speculation about his long-term future, and whether his latest quotes really stack up. 

Industry rumours suggest DeChambeau may not extend his LIV contract beyond 2026, with conflicting reports claiming ongoing discussions with LIV's backers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, over a potential extension. 

For now though, his public stance remains unchanged.

As things stand, Koepka looks to be the only major defection back to the PGA Tour — at least for now.

For LIV Golf, retaining the likes of Rahm and DeChambeau is critical. 

Losing both would represent a seismic blow to the league’s long-term ambitions and its ability to rival the PGA Tour. 

Instead, their comments offer short-term stability, even if questions about 2026 — and beyond — are far from fully settled.