Every talk concerning the merger in the golf world is always a hit or a miss. There’s been a lot of buzz about a potential deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to bring men’s professional golf under one umbrella. While some big names like Jay Monahan and Tiger Woods are feeling pretty optimistic about it, Rory McIlroy isn’t so sure. He recently shared his doubts, saying that despite some high-profile meetings, he doesn’t think they’re any closer to reaching an agreement.

And, apparently, there are still some major sticking points, like what’s going to happen to the LIV Golf League and team golf’s role in the future of the sport.  Meanwhile, rumors have been swirling about top LIV Golfers potentially returning to the PGA Tour, and Scott O’Neil is wiping the sweat off his head as they do. One player at the center of these rumors is Bryson DeChambeau, who recently spoke about his future with LIV Golf. With his contract situation up in the air, DeChambeau’s reps likely know that he has a lot of leverage right now. “Bryson DeChambeau’s reps must know that he has a lot of leverage right now, where you know he’s maybe, maybe the most popular player in the world of golf right now. He’s the reigning US Open Champion,” one host noted on the latest YouTube episode of Golf Channel.

And let’s be real, as the reigning US Open Champion and arguably the most popular player in golf right now, Bryson DeChambeau’s influence is huge, and it’s hard to overstate just how much clout he has in the golf world. Along with other top LIV Golfers like Brooks Koepka, he has significant sway in determining the future of the deal. If DeChambeau were to defect back to the PGA Tour, it would be a huge blow to LIV Golf. “Bryson being, I think, the clear number one in that respect… if you know, if he defects back to the PG tour, if he’s unable to come to some sort of term with LIV on his next contract, I mean, it’s hard to imagine LIV surviving his defection.”

With Bryson DeChambeau and other top players holding all the cards, it’s obvious that the golf world is in for some major shake-ups. And, fun fact, DeChambeau isn’t the only big name who might be making a move to the PGA Tour – apparently, Brooks Koepka is also rumored to be eyeing a return.

Brooks Koepka’s potential return to the PGA Tour sparks questions

Golf legend Fred Couples just spilled the tea on Brooks Koepka’s plans to return to the PGA Tour. Apparently, Koepka is eager to come back and play on the Tour, and Couples believes him. But here’s the thing: Couples is worried about how LIV Golf pros like Koepka would fit back into the PGA Tour, especially when it comes to big events. “He wants to come back, I will say that. I believe he really wants to come back and play the Tour,” Couples said.

Couples are questioning how the PGA Tour would accommodate LIV Golf pros if they were to join the Tour. He’s worried about how it would affect the existing events and players. “I don’t know how you get an Elevated Event with 72 or 77 people and bring seven superstars in. What do you tell those other seven? And I go, you know, bye-bye,” Couples said. He’s also making it clear that he’s loyal to the PGA Tour and doesn’t want to see it change too much. “I have now 44 years invested in [the PGA Tour], and I don’t want anyone picking on a tour that I think is very good.” This all comes as talks between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) seem to be making progress. What do you think will happen? Let us know in the comments!