Report: LIV Golf is 'finished' unless Brooks and Bryson situation resolved

Prominent golf journalist Alan Shipnuck says LIV Golf 'is finished' if they lose one of Brooks Koepka or Bryson DeChambeau. 

Shipnuck made the claim as he discussed the current state of the elite men's game on Dan on Golf with Dan Rapaport.  

Last week the PGA Tour asked U.S. president Donald Trump to intervene in the peace talks with LIV Golf's backers (the Saudi PIF). 

Although the North American circuit claimed they are 'closer to a deal' with Trump's help, Shipnuck argued they have deliberately stalled talks.

Which now presents a very real problem for the breakaway tour.

Shipnuck told Rapaport DeChambeau, 31, and Koepka, 34, now have 'huge leverage' as LIV failed to land a high-profile name in the offseason. 

Tom McKibbin was the highest-profile name to make the switch from the establishment, linking up with Jon Rahm's Legion XIII for a reported $5m. 

McKibbin ignored Rory McIlroy's advice to join and also gave up his first PGA Tour card. 

LIV targeted youth elsewhere, with Frederik Kjettrup, Luis Masaveu and Yubin Jang joining the ranks. 

It is understood DeChambeau and Koepka signed three-year contracts north of $100m when they made the switch in 2022. 

"If LIV loses those two guys [then] it's over," Shipnuck said. 

"So it'll be really itching to see [where this goes]. This is a moment of inflection for Yasir [Al-Rummayyan, LIV's chairman and governor of the PIF].  

"I'm sure when the framework agreement was announced 20 months ago he thought it was all going to be done and dusted.

"He never imagined he was going to be negotiating with these guys with the future of LIV at stake. It continues to be messy and fascinating."

Shipnuck said Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay, and Jordan Spieth are essentially 'running' the PGA Tour now. 

All three players are part of the PGA Tour's policy board. 

"They've been slow-playing this on purpose," Shipnuck added. 

"They've game-planned this, they know that the longer this drags out it tilts back towards the Tour and [gives them] the advantage in these negotiations because these contracts run out. 

"Guys are antsy and are unhappy on LIV."

LIV have just started their third full season since its noisy introduction in the sport. 

Adrian Meronk won the 20205 curtain-raiser in Riyadh. 

LIV is heading to Adelaide this week. 

Whilst Shipnuck predicts that LIV's future may not be rosy, it's important to point out they have considerable momentum right now. 

Greg Norman has been booted out as commissioner and his replacement, Scott O'Neil, appears to have a better relationship with key figures in the corridors of power. 

The aforementioned Rahm said there is now 'less bad blood'. 

Elsewhere, the USGA became the first major to offer a direct pathway into the U.S. Open based on their individual rankings.

Yesterday, the R&A announced a similar exemption for specifically for LIV players for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. 

New LIV Golf boss addresses Greg Norman exit

The aforementioned O'Neil discussed Norman's exit before LIV Golf Adelaide.

O'Neil has confirmed Norman will still sit on LIV's board. 

"Greg is an icon," he said. "He is a friend. He is the reason I'm here today. I spent quite a bit of time with him in my 30-day lead-up to this role and every day since engaging, asking questions and learning, and I hope that he is part of LIV forever.

"We just had a board meeting last week. He sits on the board, which is another wonderful testament that we can tap into his experience, his leadership, his friendship, and any challenges, too, at the board meeting. 

"I was hoping for a friendly on the other side of the table, but he mixes it up pretty good."

He added: "It's quite a gift to have him as part of LIV. I feel like he was the right person at the right time, and I hope I can stand on the shoulders of giants and move the league forward.

"I'm very different. I don't come from the golf world, but I do come from the world of sports, American sports, and I'm really proud, humbled and inspired to be able to walk behind him and take this league forward."

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