Bryson DeChambeau handed crucial LIV Golf reprieve after paying ultimate price

After missing out on last year's edition of the Ryder Cup, Bryson DeChambeau's odds of being brought back into Team USA's fold appear to be improving. The LIV Golf rebel was omitted from then-captain Zach Johnson's line-up as golf's civil war continued to rage, but new skipper Keegan Bradley appears to have a different take on the matter.

DeChambeau, 30, has been a very vocal supporter of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League since leaving the PGA Tour behind in June 2022. And it seemed that was a significant factor in him missing out on Team USA's losing effort in Rome last year.

Many were surprised to see Bradley named USA captain for the 2025 edition of the Ryder Cup, which will be held at Bethpage on Long Island, New York. It's understood Tiger Woods - a staunch critic of the LIV series - passed on the opportunity to lead his country, which led to Bradley's appointment.

But DeChambeau is one name in particular who may well be a big fan of the decision based on Bradley's earliest signs regarding his selection policy. And it seems any Team USA contenders based on the LIV circuit stand a strong chance of being picked.

"I’m going to have the 12 best players on the team. I don’t care where they play," he told reporters after being introduced as the new captain. "We have a mission to win this tournament. I’m not worried about the LIV stuff. I want the best players on the team."

Team USA will select a predetermined number of players based on points earned in qualifying events, while the captain is allotted their own numbers of picks. In 2023, this was an even split of six apiece, which is expected to remain the case for 2025.

As of early July, DeChambeau sits second in the Team USA rankings, second only to Ryder Cup shoo-in Scottie Scheffler. Fellow LIV convert Brooks Koepka sits way down in 34th for the time being, although there's plenty of time to improve that position in the coming year.

After missing out on Johnson's team, DeChambeau expressed his disappointment at both the omission and the lack of communication received by LIV's US absentees: "It would have been nice to at least just have a call. There's numerous people that I think Zach should have called out here, and we didn't get that."

There is time for the relations between LIV and the PGA to heal in the coming 12 months or so, meaning the selection of LIV-based stars may not be an issue this time next year. The two parties continue to work away on some form of deal that could see them come together, though talks of a merger have fallen aprt at several junctures to date.

“I’ll have to wait and see how everything shakes out,” added Bradley when asked about the prospect of the two organisations unifying. "And my biggest concern is having the best players on the team."

A second US Open title in June has improved DeChambeau's standing as a potential Ryder Cup pick, while he continues to impress in LIV Golf. Johnson made it clear he would rather not select players on the breakaway tour, but Bradley has sent the message early on that you can make his cut as long as you're good enough - no matter where you play.