(Photo credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images)

Bryson DeChambeau used his spare time at The Masters Tournament earlier this month to discuss a possible return to the PGA Tour, The Athletic reported Monday.

Playing in the last season of his original LIV Golf contract, DeChambeau not only was competing in the first major tournament of the 2025 season at Augusta, Ga., he also had meetings with unnamed 'organizations' about a LIV departure, according to the report.

DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but reportedly declined. That program was developed just as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to competitive golf in the United States earlier this year.

Also declining the option to return were Jon Rahm and Cam Smith. DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith were the only three LIV stars who were offered a path to return amid new parameters that were restricted to players who had departed for at least two years and had won a major tournament or a Players Championship title between 2022 and 2025.

DeChambeau's reported meetings at The Masters came as rumors started to circulate that LIV Golf could be on the verge of shutting down. LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said last week, though, that the league would not fold.

O'Neil later added that LIV Golf is financed through the 2026 season.

The league's fourth season has seven tournaments remaining -- five in the United States -- after last week's event in Mexico. DeChambeau complained about course conditions at the Mexico event then withdrew after two rounds citing a wrist injury.

Up next is LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National Golf Club from May 7-10.

DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five LIV Golf titles.

When LIV Golf started in 2022, DeChambeau reportedly signed a $125 million contract for 4 1/2 years. According to The Daily Telegraph newspaper, he had been seeking as much as $500 million on a new contract to remain with the league.

--Field Level Media