In a major shake-up for professional golf, five-time major champion Brooks Koepka has officially parted ways with LIV Golf — becoming the first high-profile player to exit the Saudi-backed league. His departure raises fresh speculation about whether a return to the PGA Tour is on the horizon.
LIV confirmed the news with a quiet update on its website, announcing that Talor Gooch will now captain the Smash team previously led by Koepka. The move marks a significant blow to LIV, which had counted Koepka among its biggest early signings.
Scott O’Neil, LIV’s new CEO, framed the split as mutual and amicable.
“Brooks is prioritising the needs of his family and staying closer to home,” said O’Neil. “We appreciate the significant impact he has had on the game and wish him continued success, both on and off the course.”
Koepka’s original contract length was never officially disclosed, though reports suggest he had at least one year remaining on his LIV deal, having joined in mid-2022.
While LIV’s season concluded on 24 August, PGA Tour policy requires defectors to sit out for a full year from their last appearance before applying for reinstatement. This opens the door for Koepka to potentially rejoin sometime in mid-to-late 2025 — provided the tour approves his return.
Koepka has kept relatively quiet about his plans. His management team offered no comment beyond a short statement released through LIV Golf.
“Family has always guided Brooks’s decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home,” the statement read. “Brooks will continue to be a huge supporter of LIV Golf and wishes the league and its players continued success. Brooks remains passionate about the game of golf and will keep fans updated on what’s ahead.”
Despite the split, Koepka’s exit appears to be free of the legal and political tensions that surrounded earlier departures. He was not part of the antitrust lawsuit LIV players filed against the PGA Tour in 2022. That may work in his favour if he chooses to reapply for PGA Tour membership.
The PGA Tour issued a brief but notable acknowledgement.
“Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success,” the statement said. “The PGA Tour continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.”
Insiders say Koepka notified the PGA Tour of his plans before LIV’s public announcement.
Koepka’s tenure with LIV included five wins, but his 2025 season was underwhelming, with only two top-10 finishes and a final ranking of 31st in the 54-player field. Outside of LIV, he struggled even more, missing five cuts in eight events, including at three majors.
Though he famously won the 2023 PGA Championship — the first LIV golfer to win a major — his form never fully rebounded. His omission from the 2025 Ryder Cup lineup confirmed a dip in performance.
Privately, Koepka had expressed frustrations with LIV’s development pace.
Koepka’s LIV departure is especially notable given his complex history with the PGA Tour. Just weeks before his defection, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan attended Koepka’s wedding in the Caribbean. At the time, Koepka had participated in a private meeting urging players to stay loyal to the tour.
His exit from LIV may mark a full-circle moment, potentially reigniting ties with the organisation he once left under a cloud of controversy.
Koepka started his career in Europe and could still compete on the European tour, where he played several events in 2025. He finished fourth at the French Open, just before the Ryder Cup.
Koepka’s departure leaves LIV with fewer marquee names. With Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau now its biggest active stars, and Tyrrell Hatton still in the mix, the league faces questions about how it will replace Koepka.
So far, only Victor Perez and Laurie Canter have signed for LIV’s 2026 season, which begins in February. The league’s “promotions” tournament in January will offer two players entry into its roster.
LIV is also still waiting on its application for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status, with selection methods for its players continuing to be a sticking point for the governing body.
As for Koepka, his next chapter remains unwritten — but the door to PGA Tour redemption appears to be open.
