The Saudi-backed LIV Golf began in 2021, intending to revolutionize the game of golf. However, it soon evolved into a power struggle between LIV on one side and the PGA Tour and DP World Tour on the other. Amid stalled merger talks, the possibility of reconciliation seems distant, according to NCB reporter, Johnson Wagner. Yet for stars like Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, that uncertainty could open the door for a path back to the PGA Tour challenging.

Wagner appeared as a guest on Trey Wingo’s YouTube video. Considering the wealth of information and knowledge Wagner would have as a golf commentator for NCB, Wingo asked him about the idea of LIV and the PGA Tour coming together. “I don’t see the PJ Tour and LIV merging in any form. I think that’s not going to happen,” said Wagner to Trey Wingo. Even President Donald Trump got involved in trying to help merge the two organizations.

“Ultimately, hopefully, the two tours are going to merge. That’ll be good. I’m involved in that too,” Trump said. Even the PGA Tour’s commissioner, Jay Monahan, confirmed the same in March 2025.

“The talks are real, they’re substantial, and they’re being driven at the top levels of both organizations. Those talks have been significantly bolstered by President Trump’s willingness to serve as a facilitator,” Monahan told reporters at the Players Championship. While there has been no communication about a merger since then, Wagner believes that it should not impair LIV golfers’ path back to the PGA Tour.

“I think LIV’s going to re-sign a lot of these guys. So, the big names that are the team captains…I’ve heard their contracts run through 2026. All the other guys like the Harold Varners and those guys, they were up at the end of this year. What I’m seeing is that a lot of the guys are re-signing with LIV. Now, if a guy like Koepka, whose contract ends in 2026, if he were to want to come back, I think there’s got to be a path for those guys to come back and play on the PGA Tour,” Wagner said. LIV Golf’s new CEO, Scott O’Neil, who replaced Greg Norman, has also said that most athletes want to continue playing in the league.

Speaking on the Rick Shiels Golf Show, O’Neil said, “Of the players who have their contracts up this year, everyone wants to be back. We’re having those conversations.” This suggests that the most popular names on the roster will probably remain for a longer period, considering the golfers are also equally interested in staying.

For instance, speaking to the media at the US Open, Bryson DeChambeau said, “Next year is when it ends. We’re looking to negotiate at the end of this year, and I’m very excited. They see the value in me. I see the value in what they can provide, and I believe we’ll come to some sort of resolution on that.” Regardless of whether LIV golfers continue or not, Wagner thinks they should have an option to come back to the PGA Tour as well.

Reflecting on the same, Wagner gave an example of Hudson Swafford. Like Wagner, Swafford is a 3-time PGA Tour winner and was one of the first to join LIV Golf. But after his relegation from LIV, he was denied entry back to the PGA Tour for the 2026 season.

“I know a guy named Hudson Swafford, who was one of the first guys to go, a multiple winner on the PGA Tour. Yeah, he got relegated off of LIV, and the PGA Tour basically said you have a year suspension, you can come back and try to play in 2027, is what I’ve heard. So I think that is what we’re looking at as far as any sort of unity,” Wagner said. Swafford said that he had a five-year suspension from the year he started playing in LIV, which is 2022.

According to Swafford, the PGA Tour made this decision based on the other LIV golfers’ contracts. When speaking on Golf.com’s Subpar podcast, Swafford said, “I know they’re basing that on a couple of people’s contracts being up after the ’26 season. So then they can kind of change the rules in favor of everybody coming back.” But while the door might eventually open for players like Koepka, others are facing a harsher reality.

Koepka is not the only one facing this uncertainty. Many LIV golfers whose contracts end or who are relegated from the league have their careers hanging in the balance.

LIV golfers face uncertainty amid contract issues

Many golfers’ careers with LIV Golf remain uncertain. While contracts of popular names like DeChambeau and Koepka will probably renew, low-performing golfers may face a harsh reality. These golfers cannot play on the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour either because of suspension or fines.

For instance, star golfers like Jon Rahm have around £1 million in fines. Although unlikely, if Rahm plans to leave LIV Golf and continue on the DP World Tour, he will first have to clear his dues. On the other hand, those who want to join the PGA Tour will have to wait out their suspension before participating in its events.

While LIV is ready to re-sign most golfers, those who are relegated or don’t re-sign certainly face a tough situation. For instance, Eugenio Chacarra, part of Fireballs GC, became a free agent after failing to re-sign with LIV. The same happened with Pat Perez, too. Moreover, relegated golfers also face a similar situation.

Henrik Stenson, Andy Ogletree, Mito Pereira, Yubin Jang, Anthony Kim, and Frederik Kjettrup are the golfers relegated after the 2025 season. They can retain their status on the roster based on team decisions. For example, Branden Grace and Bubba Watson, both team captains, were allowed to return in 2025 despite relegation, as captains can make a business case to remain.

Efforts to reconcile the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have stalled, with no resolution expected before 2027. This prolongs uncertainty for LIV golfers whose contracts expire after 2025 or 2026, leaving their careers in flux.