"This was for the happiness of everyone" - LIV Golf captain on controversial move

Byeong Hun An says the decision to drop Danny Lee from his LIV Golf team mid-way through the season was by mutual consent. 

The crisis-hit breakaway tour heads to Korea this week for the eighth event of the season. 

Lee and Korean Golf Club, formerly Iron Heads, will take centre stage at Asiad Country Club in Busan. 

But their quartet will include a new player as former PGA Tour pro Lee, 35, has been dropped in favour Doyeob Mun.

Mun is a 34-year-old Korean, currently 203rd in the Official World Golf Ranking. 

"We spoke with Danny and the league was involved in the process as well," An told reporters on Tuesday. 

"Obviously, it was tough to see him go because we all got along pretty well, but this was for the happiness of everyone.

"As team captain, I was part of the discussion to bring Doyeob Mun aboard. 

"He has been playing really well this year and we felt he was the best South Korean player at the moment."

An was referencing the fact Mun is currently the sixth highest-ranked golfer from South Korea and has finished in the top 10 in each of his last five starts on the KPGA Tour. 

Lee, who joined LIV from the PGA Tour in 2023 and won on his second start, will play the remainder of the season as a wildcard with no affiliation to any team. 

"It's not like Danny got pushed out," An stressed. "We all want the best for him and he wants the best for us.

"Everyone was on board with this. Danny said he was happy with the decision, too."

LIV Golf Korea gets underway on Thursday. 

Bryson DeChambeau is the defending champion.

DeChambeau optimistic of LIV Golf's survival hopes

Elsewhere, LIV's lynchpin, Bryson DeChambeau, has expressed optimism about the future of LIV Golf, despite the league losing its funding from Saudi Arabia. 

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday for the first time since missing the cut at the 2026 PGA Championship, Dechambeau said the league has several ideas that will catch the attention of potential investors. 

DeChambeau said he was surprised Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has decided to withdraw its support for LIV, but added: "One door closes, another opens.

“I think that's the way a lot of us are looking at it. I think we all have optimism that there is a business plan that makes sense for team golf. 

"I'd quite honestly actually – how do I say it? I'm very optimistic with the business plan of team golf compared to other models, in my opinion."

He continued: "But again, other models have worked, as well, so I’m not going to say that one is better than the other, but I do see value in what team golf can provide not only worldwide but also in grass rooting the game of golf.

"National support, team national support, city local support, we grass root ourselves there. There are a couple ideas that we have – quite a few ideas that we have that could be interesting.

"We'll see if investors like it or not. I'm giving all I can to make it happen, and if it doesn't, it doesn't happen."

DeChambeau also fired back at his critics. 

"I respect everybody's opinion on me," he said. "I respect everybody that says that I’m the worst thing for golf or I'm the best thing for golf. It’s okay.

"The reality is I’m so focused on what I can do for the game that somebody saying something online or to me personally in my face is not going to distract me from the mission that I have.

"When people are saying these things about me, I know my mission. I know what I’m here to do. Sometimes it's tough to see, but sometimes it's an inspiration for me. Fuels positive fire in my stomach.

"I think people love to say something, and you have to respect that. I think everybody's opinion is valid. 

"All I can do is continue to be the best every single day that I can, whether I win tournaments out here, I win majors or don't win majors or finish dead last out here. 

"It doesn't matter to me, as long as I'm working as hard as I can and giving as much as I can, that's all that really matters."