Bryson DeChambeau took a foul-mouthed pop at the media ‘mafia’ as he practised ahead of LIV Golf’s season finale.
DeChambeau’s future on the rebel tour is among the big talking points heading into this weekend’s event in Indianapolis, where uncertainty reigns about what comes next for LIV Golf and its biggest stars.
The 2026 season will come to an end a week earlier than planned after bosses canceled the circuit’s individual and team championship in Michigan.
Earlier this week, amid all the chaos, DeChambeau arrived on the driving range to find a small group of journalists gathered nearby.
‘Oooh the mafia has arrived. The mafia. You guys love talking s**t,’ he said. One of the reporters involved later told Golf.com that he believed DeChambeau was ‘mostly joking’ but is nevertheless frustrated with how he has been portrayed in recent months.
It has been a wild summer for the American, who threatened to pull out of the Open Championship and even call President Trump after a furious row over a two-stroke penalty.
Bryson DeChambeau took a foul-mouthed pop at the media ‘mafia’ ahead of LIV Golf’s finale
DeChambeau’s future is among the big talking points heading into this weekend’s event
Before long, DeChambeau was back in the headlines after his wayward drive nearly struck fellow LIV rebel Ian Poulter on the head.
This week’s outburst in Indianapolis comes as LIV fights to stay alive after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced earlier this year that it would stop bankrolling the tour beyond 2026.
That has plunged the breakaway into crisis and prompted speculation over the future of star players such as DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
CEO Scott O’Neil, who previously revealed that LIV has secured new investment to keep it afloat beyond this season, said this week he ‘certainly hopes’ DeChambeau will remain on the rebel tour.
But O’Neil was unable to confirm whether the American will stick with LIV beyond the end of his current deal, which is reportedly worth more than $100million and runs until the end of the 2026 season.
Earlier this year, it was claimed DeChambeau wants up to $500million to stay with LIV Golf but O’Neil said: ‘I’ll leave all individual player questions to individual players,’
The CEO added: ‘He cares about the global game of golf. He cares about building this next generation of fans.’
LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said he ‘certainly hopes’ DeChambeau will remain on the rebel tour
DeChambeau threatened to pull out of the Open Championship after a furious row with officials
O’Neil added: ‘Bryson has become a good friend, a good advocate of the league. I certainly hope he’s with us for the future.
‘He’s been extremely supportive, as I can say most of the big guys have been.’
Brooks Koepka has already come back to the PGA Tour after quitting LIV Golf and Rory McIlroy was asked about the potential return of other high-profile rebels and whether they could add value to golf’s old order.
‘I mean, I’d argue have they brought value to LIV?’ McIlroy said at the BMW Championship.
