Bryson DeChambeau admits he made 'business decision' over golf career
- Joe Hewlett
- 14 June 2022
The 2020 US Open champion joined the Saudi-funded LIV golf series and is the highest profiled golfer to join the organisation.
"There were a lot of financials to it and a lot of time," said the American, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour.
"I get to have a life outside of the game of golf as well. [It's] a business decision for my family's future."
DeChambeau, 28, will play the remaining seven LIV golf events this year and is set to make his debut at Pumpkin Ridge in Portland on June 30.
The first tournament under Greg Norman took place at Centurion Club in Hertfordshire, England, and former Masters champion Carl Schwartzel won the event, pocketing $4.75m.
It was the most lucrative tournament in the sport's history with total prize money of $25m.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will contribute $250m to the sport for 2022 while an additional £1.6bn will be funded by 2024 with the intention of increasing their events to 14 per year.
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson have been suspended by the PGA for deciding to join the Saudi-backed LIV golf while others have resigned.
"It's not my decision to make. That's someone else's decision that's making that for me," DeChambeau said on his PGA Tour future.
The American has not quit the PGA Tour although he will not be participating at next week's Travelers Championship.
The American said he has not resigned his membership and hoped to keep playing on the PGA Tour - although he has pulled out of next week's Travelers Championship.
Justin Thomas has revealed he has been unable to sleep over the current situation.
"I tossed and turned and lost a lot of sleep last week thinking about what could potentially happen," Thomas said. "I grew up my entire life wanting to play the PGA Tour, wanting to break records, make history, play Presidents Cups, play Ryder Cups.
"The fact that things like that could potentially get hurt because of the people that are leaving, and if more go, it's just sad.
"It's astronomical money that they're throwing at people. I've talked to some of my peers that have asked me questions but I'm like, 'you've got to do what's best for you or what you think is best for your career, but selfishly I don't want you to go'.
"All I can do is plead my case. But everybody out here is a grown-up, they can make their own decisions."
