DeChambeau and Rahm respond to PGA Tour return | Golf News

Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith have made their positions crystal clear relating to their LIV Golf commitments after Brooks Koepka’s dramatic return to the PGA Tour opened a pathway back for choose gamers.

Koepka departed LIV in December, with Monday’s announcement confirming his comeback at the Farmers Insurance Open. The PGA Tour established the Returning Member Program, permitting Koepka to rejoin by fulfilling particular necessities, including a $5 million charitable contribution.

According to the PGA Tour’s assertion, the Returning Member Program is solely accessible to golfers who have captured a major championship since 2022, with a Feb. 2 deadline. Only DeChambeau, Rahm, and Smith meet these requirements, while notable names like Phil Mickelson have been overlooked of the eligibility pool.

The surprising announcement of Koepka’s departure got here during LIV Golf’s preseason media week in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the three eligible gamers addressed reporters on Tuesday. DeChambeau, a founding member whose LIV deal runs through the conclusion of the 2026 season and seemingly holds appreciable negotiating energy for any extension, delivered a easy assertion.

“Look, I’m contracted through 2026, so I’m excited about this year,” declared the two-time major winner, arguably LIV Golf’s most distinguished determine.

Rahm, who signed with LIV in 2023, echoed that sentiment: “Yeah, I’m not planning on going anywhere, so it’s a very similar answer to what Bryson gave. I wish Brooks the best.

“And as far as I’m involved, I’m targeted on the league and my group this 12 months and hopefully we will repeat as champions again.”

Rahm informed journalists that he had been anticipating the PGA Tour’s offer for a while.

“I had heard rumors for fairly a few weeks, some of them going back to last 12 months already. It wasn’t a shock in anyway,” he stated.

The 2022 Open champion, Smith, is also eligible to return, but the Australian has firmly committed his loyalty to LIV. He declared: “I have not had a lot of time to assume about it. But I do know I’m right here to keep.

“I’m here to support LIV. I’m a captain of a great team and a great group of people.

“I’m completely satisfied where I’m. I’m proud of where I’m. I feel we do many great issues, significantly in Australia, and I can not wait for this league to keep growing.”