Bryson DeChambeau ‘Broke’ Claims Debunked Amid $280M LIV Contract Rumors After 2025 U.S. Open Flop
Oakmont, Pennsylvania, June 15, 2025 – The golf world is buzzing with breaking news as Bryson DeChambeau’s disappointing performance at the 2025 U.S. Open has reignited speculation about his financial status and future with LIV Golf. The two-time U.S. Open champion, who finished a dismal 10-over par and tied for 28th at Oakmont Country Club, faced renewed scrutiny over his playful “broke” remark from years past, alongside rumors of a rejected $280 million contract demand. However, insiders and fellow players have swiftly debunked these claims, shifting focus to DeChambeau’s resilience as the tournament concludes this Sunday afternoon.
DeChambeau’s week at Oakmont started with high expectations, given his 2024 triumph at Pinehurst and his status as LIV Golf’s standout star. Yet, a series of wayward drives and missed putts saw him falter, culminating in a final-round 74 that left him far from contention as Sam Burns claimed the title at 1-under. The failure has fueled online chatter, with some linking it to his earlier jest about being “broke” after reinvesting his $125 million LIV signing bonus into ventures like a Dallas multi-sport complex. Reports of a $280 million contract demand to extend his 2026-expiring deal surfaced recently, but LIV Golf veteran Lee Westwood dismissed it as “nonsense,” while DeChambeau himself hinted at ongoing negotiations, saying, “They see the value in me.”
Despite the Oakmont setback, DeChambeau’s financial narrative doesn’t hold water under scrutiny. With over $40 million in LIV prize money and $30 million from his PGA Tour days, plus lucrative YouTube earnings from his 2 million subscribers, he’s far from strapped. His “broke” comment, made in jest on a 2022 podcast, reflected reinvestment into community projects, not distress. The $280 million rumor, tied to merger talks between LIV and the PGA Tour, appears to be a strategic exaggeration, possibly leveraged to boost his negotiating power. Rory McIlroy, despite past rivalries, has praised DeChambeau’s impact, suggesting a potential PGA return, though DeChambeau remains committed to LIV’s team model.
The U.S. Open flop—contrasting Burns’ steady 70 and Viktor Hovland’s even-par finish—has raised questions about DeChambeau’s form, especially after a T-6 at the Masters and a Korea LIV win. His new irons and experimental ball choices didn’t pay off on Oakmont’s brutal layout, where strategic play trumped his usual power game. Fans on social platforms are split, with some blaming LIV’s schedule and others his bold experimentation. As contract talks loom by year-end, DeChambeau’s worth—bolstered by Reebok’s Crushers GC deal—remains clear, though this week’s failure might temper his leverage.
With the 2025 season winding down, DeChambeau’s next move will define his legacy. Is this a temporary dip, or a sign of deeper challenges? As golf’s fractured landscape evolves, his Oakmont exit leaves fans pondering whether his financial gambles and LIV loyalty will pay off long-term.
