Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith have committed to LIV Golf after Brooks Koepka announced his departure from LIV Golf after four seasons on the Saudi-backed circuit.
The tour offered big names such as DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith a “one-time, clear window” to reapply for membership in what appears to be a power play with LIV.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolup said in an open letter that while DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith have a Feb. 2 deadline to apply for reinstatement if they wish to play this season, “there is no guarantee that this path will be available again.”
“I’m really looking forward to this year because I’m under contract through 2026,” DeChambeau said.
“It’s a very similar answer to the one Bryson gave, because it’s not going anywhere,” Rahm said.
“I wish Brooks the best of luck. As far as I’m concerned, I’m focused on LIV this year and hope the team can win again as champions.”
Australian star Smith is the least well-known of the three but said he intended to remain with LIV “for many years to come”.
“I haven’t really thought about anything. I haven’t had much time to think. But I know I’m here to stay. I’m here to support LIV,” said the former British Open champion. “I’m the captain of a great team and a great group of people. I’m happy with where I’m at. I’m proud of where I’m at. I think we’re doing a lot of great things, especially in Australia. I can’t wait to see this league continue to grow.”
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Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir talks about why Brooks Koepka has been allowed to return to the PGA Tour under the new returning membership program after leaving LIV Golf
Koepka, 35, made the bombshell last month that he would quit LIV Golf with one year left on his contract, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.
The five-time major champion has applied for reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership, and his availability and high profile have effectively led officials to rewrite their own rules.
They are promoting a returning member program designed specifically for Koepka and his former LIV colleagues, which will apply to players who win any of the four majors or the Players Championship between 2022 and 2025.
Phil Mickelson responded to the Returning Player Program’s criteria (and his ineligibility for its benefits) by saying, “We’re all friends here. I consider Brooks a friend, and I fully support whatever he thinks is best for him and his family.”
The six-time major champion added: “I’m having so much fun here. I love playing at LIV. I love being with the players…I couldn’t be happier here.”
Mr. Rahm (left) and Mr. DeChambeau seemed surprised to hear their names listed on the newly drawn return route.
Reflecting on the newly written return path, Rahm said: “I’ve been hearing rumors for quite a few weeks, some of them going back as far as last year. It wasn’t a surprise at all. I hadn’t really watched it. Of course I’m aware of what’s going on.”
On being named alongside DeChambeau and Smith, the Spaniard added: “Well, I didn’t know about that. But that criteria in itself would obviously be enough to know who it was. I wasn’t surprised at all. There have been quite a few rumors for a while. I wasn’t surprised at all by this news.”
“I never thought that would happen and I never thought it would happen,” DeChambeau previously wrote on Instagram in a cheeky post of him standing next to an “exit” sign, shrugging his shoulders and asking, “What would you do?”
“I don’t even know what the penalty will be. I’m under contract now. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do at LIV Golf this year.”
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