'Big Three' to Remain with LIV Golf

DeChambeau, Rahm, and Smith Say No to PGA Return
Eligible for "Reinstatement Membership Program"
"We're Not Going Anywhere"?Declare Commitment to LIV Golf

Bryson DeChambeau (USA), Jon Rahm (Spain), and Cameron Smith (Australia) have announced their intention to continue playing with LIV Golf.

On January 13 (local time), they attended a LIV Golf preseason press conference held in Palm Beach, Florida, USA, where they stated, "We will continue to compete in LIV Golf tournaments this season."

Bryson DeChambeau has declared that he will remain with LIV Golf. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

These players are subject to the "Reinstatement Membership Program" announced the previous day by the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour recently revealed that the program applies to players who have been inactive for more than two years but won one of the four major championships or The Players Championship-the so-called fifth major-from 2022 to 2025. Players who apply for reinstatement to the PGA Tour by February 2 will be allowed to compete on the tour starting this year.

Brooks Koepka (USA), known as a "major hunter," became eligible for this program the previous day. Having claimed nine career victories on the PGA Tour, he declared his departure from LIV Golf in December last year and returned to the PGA Tour through the reinstatement membership program. He will make his comeback at the end of this month at the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open, marking his first PGA Tour event in four years since the Valspar Championship in March 2022.

DeChambeau dismissed rumors of a PGA Tour return, saying, "I'm looking forward to seeing what results I can achieve with LIV Golf this year." Rahm, who reportedly still has at least two years left on his contract, also stated, "I'm not going anywhere. I am focused on our team this year and hope we can defend our champion status once again." Smith likewise revealed his plans, saying, "I will continue to play with LIV for several more years."