"I believe that when one door closes, a new one will open."
Bryson DeChambeau, the marquee star of LIV Golf, gave this response when asked about LIV Golf's financial crisis at the official press conference for LIV Golf Korea (total prize money: $30 million) held Wednesday at Asiad Country Club (par 70) in Busan.
LIV Golf is reportedly facing a funding shortfall. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has spearheaded the league's creation and provided approximately $5 billion (about 7.55 trillion won) in support over the past four years, has decided to halt its investment. Some foreign media outlets have even reported that LIV Golf is considering filing for bankruptcy.
On this matter, DeChambeau said, "It's true that I was surprised because I didn't expect the investment to be withdrawn," adding, "But I know that LIV Golf is working to find solutions on multiple fronts, so I'm trying to stay positive." He continued, "What I need to focus on right now is sending a great tee shot down the middle of the fairway on the first hole of the first round. The only way is to play good golf, sign autographs for fans, and create enjoyable moments."
DeChambeau is a star player with nine career PGA Tour victories, including major championships at the U.S. Open in 2020 and 2024. He has been competing primarily on LIV Golf since 2022 and was also the inaugural champion of LIV Korea, the first LIV Golf event held in Korea last year. This year, he has already secured two victories in seven appearances, demonstrating his continued competitiveness.
"I want to win again at LIV Golf Korea, the eighth event of this season. The grass is unfamiliar, but I want to show my best play in front of Korean galleries, who are the best golf fans," DeChambeau emphasized. "The course at Asiad Country Club is very beautiful, and since I've been in good form recently, I really want to win."
Following DeChambeau, Korean Golf Club captain An Byeong-hun attended the press conference and pledged to turn things around on Korean soil. "I get a lot of energy whenever I compete in Korea, so I'm looking forward to this tournament," he said. "Looking at other players, many tend to perform well in their home countries. I want to use this tournament as a turning point." Having joined LIV Golf this season, An tied for ninth place at LIV Golf Riyadh, the season opener in February, becoming the first Korean player to break into the top 10.
Moon Do-yeop, the No. 1 in Genesis Points who recently won the Gyeongbuk Open on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour, earned his entry after Korean-born Danny Lee (New Zealand), an existing member of Korean Golf Club, stepped aside as a wildcard. "This is the result of discussions among LIV Golf, brother Danny Lee, and the team members. Danny Lee was not pushed out at all," Moon said. "I'll be making my debut on a familiar domestic course. I'm very curious to see what kind of result will come out."
Meanwhile, LIV Golf Korea, the eighth event of this season, will be held from the 28th to the 31st at Asiad Country Club in Busan. It marks the second LIV Golf tournament held in Korea, following last year.
