Bryson DeChambeau endured one of his toughest rounds of the LIV Golf season Thursday, and his frustration was impossible to hide.
The two-time U.S. Open champion struggled from the opening hole at LIV Golf New York, eventually carding a 5-over 76 that left him well off the pace. During the round, television cameras caught DeChambeau angrily throwing a water bottle toward a trash can after another poor stretch of golf.
The difficult day came just hours after LIV Golf executives announced the league had secured a lead investor to fund the tour through at least 2030.
Bryson DeChambeau’s Water Bottle Throw Captured During Nightmare Round
DeChambeau’s opening round at Trump National Bedminster quickly unraveled.
He opened with a double bogey before adding bogeys on the second and fourth holes to fall to 4 over through his first four holes.
As he walked to the fifth tee, cameras captured an irritated DeChambeau slamming his water bottle toward a nearby trash can. Fittingly for the way his day was unfolding, the bottle missed the trash can altogether.
His play improved only briefly.
After stringing together several pars, DeChambeau birdied the 11th hole, but any momentum disappeared with additional bogeys on Nos. 15 and 16.
He finished with a 5-over 76, leaving him 12 shots behind first-round leader Joaquin Niemann.
The disappointing start also complicated DeChambeau’s pursuit of Jon Rahm in the season-long LIV Golf standings. Entering the week, DeChambeau needed to significantly outscore Rahm to keep the championship race alive heading into the season finale.
Instead, he now faces the difficult task of making up ground over the final three rounds.
LIV Golf Announces Major Investor to Secure League’s Future
While DeChambeau battled through a difficult day on the course, LIV Golf made one of its biggest business announcements in recent months.
Chief executive Scott O’Neil revealed the league has signed a term sheet with a lead investor that he said will fund LIV Golf through at least 2030.
“We’re very fortunate that a lead investor has signed a term sheet approved by our board, which will carry and fund LIV going forward,” O’Neil said, via The Guardian. “It’s very good news for us.”
At this stage, O’Neil declined to identify the investor or disclose financial details.
“We are keeping the details of the deal, the investor, and much of what you might want to know in this second phase out of the media,” he said.
When asked whether the agreement secures the league beyond 2027, O’Neil responded confidently.
“And 28 and 29 and 30.”
The announcement comes as LIV Golf continues evaluating its future structure. Reports indicate the league could reduce its schedule beginning in 2027 while also restructuring prize money and expanding player equity opportunities.
LIV CEO Addresses Bryson DeChambeau’s Future
Questions also remain about the long-term futures of several of LIV Golf’s biggest stars, including DeChambeau and Rahm.
O’Neil made it clear he hopes both players remain part of the league.
“I have all the time in the world for Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau,” O’Neil said. “I think I’d be remiss in saying they’re not only two of the biggest, best golfers on the planet, but I think they’re some of the biggest stars in sports, let alone golf.”
He added, “I would certainly love them to come along for the ride and journey because they carry maybe more weight than anybody in the game.”
O’Neil also expressed confidence that LIV Golf will continue attracting elite talent.
“I think we have enough support from enough players, and we have such an interesting format and global format, I think we’ll do quite well in getting the right stars for this game.”
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