Bryson DeChambeau’s mind was allegedly elsewhere at Augusta National earlier this month with the LIV superstar reportedly exploring his options if he were to leave the breakaway league at year’s end.

The two-time major winner’s contract expires in 2026 and a report from The Athletic stated that DeChambeau spent Masters week speaking with various industry stakeholders about his future.

FOX SPORTS, available on Kayo Sports, is streaming The 2026 PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

The American has reportedly put a US$500 million (A$696.5m) price tag on his head to recommit to LIV.

If LIV cannot meet that figure, The Athletic’s Brody Miller said “DeChambeau has even used his YouTube success as a leverage play with all potential suitors, indicating he’s open to only filming content and playing the four major championships”.

The response comes at a tumultuous time for LIV off the course and for DeChambeau on it.

The 32-year-old missed the cut at The Masters as a result of a triple bogey at the final hole of his second round.

While, he withdrew from the weekend’s LIV event in Mexico City with one round left to play, citing wrist discomfort.

Many in the golf world speculated there was more to the situation, however, given DeChambeau had spat the dummy on the course earlier in the tournament as LIV endured arguably the most turbulent week of its short history.

READ MORE

‘Didn’t think I was in it’: Ice cold Aussie completes comeback for the ages in epic $1m LPGA win

‘Bulls***’ Bryson move raises eyebrows as LIV make big statement on uncertain future

‘Out of this world’: PGA escape act stuns world No.1 as ‘shot of year’ lights up $28m finale

LIV boss’ deleted interview causes stir about future as Bryson spits the dummy

DeChambeau took aim at the condition of the Club de Golf Chapultepec course when he ended up with a bad lie after blasting a bunker shot over the green.

“You got destroyed grass… oh this is rough,” he could be heard saying in a video taken by spectators.

“Guys this is what we’re playing on apparently!”

That outburst followed days of reports of LIV’s impending demise.

News circulated last week that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will withdraw its funding at the end of the season after losing $8 billion on the breakaway golf league since it began in 2022.

The PIF are also eager to shift their investment focus towards technology and artificial intelligence, and keep their sport focused on football given the 2034 men’s FIFA World Cup will be held in the oil-rich kingdom.

: Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC reacts from third green during day one of LIV Golf Mexico City.Source: Getty Images

Clutch Fitz outplays Scheffler | 02:53

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil revealed during the Mexico City tournament that the league are searching for new investors.

They will have to stump up a lot of cash to meet DeChambeau’s demands, but The Athletic’s Brody Miller also stated “there’s optimism within LIV that he’s not going anywhere”.

“While also a clear concession that they cannot ever go back to the world of contracts worth hundreds of millions in guaranteed dollars,” Miller continued.

O’Neil also said publicly an interview that DeChambeau is a bigger advocate of LIV Golf’s global product than even he.

But DeChambeau’s recent public actions have suggested that he is not happy at present.

The door to a PGA Tour return was opened to the world No.28, as well as Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith, earlier this year.

But the trio, who have won majors in the last five years, were given three weeks to jump ship in the same way Brooks Koepka did.

That deadline passed and DeChambeau appeared disgruntled when talking about his LIV future at the season-launching media events.

Going forward, PGA Tour chief Brian Rolapp told ESPN that they are thinking about a clear path back for LIV player, but also said “we know those guys are under contract and we’ll respect that.”

DeChambeau’s moodiness continued in the last fortnight.

At Augusta National, he scoffed at reporters who asked questions about the 3D-printed 5-iron that was in his bag.

While in addition to his blow-up in Mexico City, DeChambeau was also spotted in a tense discussion with Rahm on the practice green before the first round.

It is unclear what the superstar duo talked about, but The Athletic’s report said it left roughly a dozen of their LIV colleagues distracted and officials had to scramble to get players into golf carts to make it to their tee in time for the shotgun start.

Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC signs autographs prior to LIV Golf Mexico City.Source: Getty Images

DeChambeau was also seen brushing past children in the crowd, waiting for autographs and photos.

The American has famously been extremely generous with his time at LIV events, even spending up to an hour with fans post-round on some occasions.

Provided his wrist issue is not too severe, DeChambeau will return to action at LIV’s Virginia event next month – a precursor to the PGA Championship.

In the mean time, there are certainly plenty of problems to work through in the background.