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While critics predicted LIV Golf would fade into irrelevance, the Saudi-backed league is making its boldest statement yet. The circuit is locking down its star roster through a wave of franchise extensions. Recent reports from Flushing It suggest six prominent names have committed their futures to the league. Bryson DeChambeau leads the list with a reported four-year extension at Crushers GC. Brooks Koepka follows with a similar four-year deal at Smash GC. Bubba Watson secured his future with RangeGoats GC through another four-year commitment. Meanwhile, Joaquin Niemann locked in four more years with Torque GC, and Cameron Smith did the same with Ripper GC. Tyrrell Hatton rounds out the group with his four-year extension at Legion XIII. Additionally, Jon Rahm reportedly signed a three-year extension with Legion XIII. These moves come as the league announced new signings for 2025, including Ryo Hisatsune and Kieran Vincent, who will be joining the circuit. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad However, not everyone received contract renewals. Anthony Kim’s time with LIV appears to be coming to an end. The 2024-2025 wildcard player faced relegation after finishing 52nd in the standings. LIV’s new rule changes mean relegated players can no longer make a “business case” to remain. Kim now competes on the Asian Tour’s International Series, aiming to win the season-ending championship and secure an automatic return. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad These reported extensions arrive during a pivotal transformation for LIV Golf. The league announced in May 2025 that contract renewals would no longer include massive upfront payments. Instead, compensation shifted to performance-based earnings through tournament prize money. This policy change affects how teams approach their roster building. DeChambeau confirmed in June 2025 that his original contract expires after the 2026 season. He stated negotiations would begin later that year. Koepka’s contract similarly runs through 2026, creating an interesting timeline for these reported extensions. The league operates at a crossroads between its explosive launch phase and long-term sustainability. Scott O’Neil replaced Greg Norman as CEO in January 2025, bringing a focus on commercial partnerships rather than headline-grabbing signings. The circuit secured over $500 million in sponsorships through October 2025, including major deals with HSBC and MGM Resorts. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Furthermore, LIV finalized a landmark broadcast deal with Fox Sports. This marks the first stable agreement with a major network since the league’s inception. The partnership aims to increase visibility and commercial value across the sport. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad LIV Golf’s Future Hinges on OWGR Recognition and Merger Progress These roster moves signal LIV’s evolution beyond its initial shock-and-awe strategy. The league now prioritizes team franchise development over individual star acquisitions. Each team operates as its own entity, pursuing sponsorships and building brand identity independent of the league structure. The timing proves crucial for LIV’s competitive positioning. PGA Tour merger discussions remain stalled, despite a meeting with President Trump at the White House in February 2025. Progress has gone silent, according to player representatives. Both tours finalized separate 2026 schedules, suggesting continued independence. Meanwhile, LIV reapplied for Official World Golf Ranking points in June 2025. The OWGR Board committed to a thorough evaluation process. Recognition would significantly enhance access to major championships for LIV players. Currently, no LIV golfer ranks in the top 20 for the first time since the inception. DeChambeau leads LIV members at No. 21 in the rankings. Rahm sits at No. 73, while Niemann ranks No. 103. Smith has fallen to No. 252 after joining at World No. 2 following his 2022 Open Championship victory. The reported extensions suggest confidence in LIV’s long-term vision. Teams are betting on the league’s ability to sustain operations beyond the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund’s backing. Whether these moves translate to competitive legitimacy or commercial sustainability remains the sport’s biggest question heading into 2026.
