Lucas Herbert and Bryson DeChambeau used separate podcasts in recent days to lay out opposite readings of LIV Golf’s future. One is leaving. The other says the league will last “forever.”
Herbert confirmed on the Tee It Up podcast that he will not be on LIV’s roster in 2027. His reasoning was simple: a 10-event schedule under the restructured LIV 2.0 would not give him the volume of golf he wants, nor the major-championship access that comes with a fuller tour calendar.
“10 events is not enough to build a season around,” he said.
“It’s not going to give me enough access to the majors, which right now, that’s the priority of my career.”
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The Australian ranked fourth in LIV’s 2026 individual standings and won twice during the season, according to Yahoo Sports. His tied-sixth finish at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where he shot a 62 that matched the major-championship scoring record, convinced him he could aim higher.
Herbert said money played no part in the decision, and that the DP World Tour had been “pretty accommodating” in opening a 2027 path for him.
DeChambeau’s business pitch
DeChambeau, speaking on the Figuring Out podcast with Raj Shamani on 1 November, pushed back on the idea that LIV’s team model is broken. He pointed to Crushers GC, the team he captains, as evidence it works: around $29 million in revenue last year against roughly $21 million in costs, as reported by EssentiallySports, for about $8 million in operating profit.
“This is going to be a league, hopefully, that exists forever,” he said.
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He conceded that LIV 1.0’s enormous upfront payments to players had been a flaw and said the restructured league would run with tighter governance.
Bankruptcy and a thinning roster
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 8 September, with estimated liabilities between $500 million and $1 billion, per GolfMagic. BC Partners Credit is backing a restructuring agreement providing up to $300 million in loans, investments and financing, and LIV 2.0 is expected to launch in early 2027.
Herbert is not the only name walking out. Branden Grace, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia have also exited ahead of the LIV 2.0 commitment deadline, Yahoo Sports reported, after DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings told players they could not hold membership on both tours. Jon Rahm’s attorney told the bankruptcy court on 7 October he will not participate in LIV 2.0 in 2027, calling the terms on offer unacceptable.
Herbert plays the NSW Open next week, his return to Australian tournament golf before his DP World Tour schedule begins in 2027.
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