The golf world has hardly had time to catch its breath since Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour, and already, speculation is swirling around the next potential domino: Bryson DeChambeau.

A Cryptic Exit Sign From Bryson DeChambeau

While Koepka reportedly paid a hefty $5 million fine and forfeited some future equity to smooth his return, the PGA Tour’s one-time reconciliation offer appears to still be on the table for a select few defectors. DeChambeau is among them, and notably, his contract with LIV expires at the end of 2026. But his most recent move might suggest he’s already contemplating the path home.

A day after Koepka’s news broke, DeChambeau posted a cryptic photo of himself leaning near an EXIT sign with the caption: “What would you do?”

Strategic ambiguity? Absolutely. Coincidence? Highly unlikely.

This is vintage DeChambeau, leveraging social media to stir speculation and gauge public sentiment, while also sending a calculated message to both sides of golf’s fractured power structure. On one hand, LIV Golf can’t afford to lose another marquee name, especially not one with growing mainstream appeal and a second U.S. Open title under his belt. On the other hand, the PGA Tour might welcome a reformed Bryson back with open arms, especially if he brings eyeballs, sponsors, and spectacle.

The Leverage of a Rising Star

Bovada, never one to miss a headline opportunity, has already jumped in: +185 odds on a DeChambeau return in 2026, with Rahm at +475 and Cam Smith even further out at +750. But the real odds-on favorite? None of them returning, at a strong -325.

Still, it’s DeChambeau’s leverage that’s most intriguing. With Koepka gone, his negotiating position strengthens significantly. He’s already outlasted some early skeptics, weathered the identity crisis of LIV’s turbulent first chapters, and emerged with more popularity than ever.

Deadline Looms, Decision Nears

Now, with the PGA Tour extending what may be a once-in-a-generation olive branch—and a firm February 2 deadline looming, DeChambeau stands at a crossroads. The next move he makes won’t just define his career arc. It could reshape the next phase of professional golf’s fractured landscape.

Tick-tock, Bryson. The exit sign is glowing.