Most people don’t double down on failed investments whilst the building burns around them. Bryson DeChambeau just did exactly that. The two-time US Open champion broke his silence Sunday following LIV Golf’s Thursday announcement that it’s shuttering permanently, offering no regrets about joining the Saudi-backed rebel tour that turned professional golf upside-down before imploding spectacularly after burning through billions.

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“I’m not going to rewrite the last four years. I made a decision I believed in, and I’m grateful for what came with it,” DeChambeau said in his first public comments since LIV confirmed its demise. “The record crowds in Adelaide and Johannesburg will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

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DeChambeau was arguably the highest-profile star defecting from the traditional PGA Tour when he joined LIV’s 2022 launch, bringing genuine major championship pedigree to a circuit desperate for credibility. He staunchly defended the rebel venture even after Saudi backers pulled the plug this year, expressing optimism for the now-aborted “LIV 2.0” relaunch plan whilst others like Jon Rahm jumped ship.

The team golf true believer

His statement Sunday doubled down on belief in LIV’s distinctive team-based format despite its commercial rejection by sponsors, broadcasters and ultimately the very Saudi investors who bankrolled its existence.

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“I believed this game could reach more people, in more places, in a new way. I still believe that,” DeChambeau insisted. “And I gave it everything I had to keep team golf alive.”

“I still believe in team golf. It may look different in the future, but I still believe it’s essential to growing the game.”

What comes next remains unclear

DeChambeau conspicuously avoided revealing future competitive plans beyond a scheduled December appearance at South Africa’s Nedbank Golf Challenge. Several former LIV stars have already announced they’ll play the DP World (European) Tour next season, a potential route back to the US PGA Tour that represents professional golf’s legitimate competitive apex.

Whether DeChambeau pursues that path or explores alternatives remains unknown. His hugely popular YouTube channel offers commercial independence most professional golfers can’t match, potentially allowing career decisions traditional tour economics wouldn’t permit.

“Arnold Palmer said no player is bigger than the game, and I want to acknowledge that, along the way, I’ve said some things that didn’t help,” DeChambeau admitted.

“Whatever comes next, I’ll approach it with humility and respect for the people who carried this game long before me.”