Brooks Koepka parts way with LIV Golf ahead of 2026 season
Luke Walker
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka has left LIV Golf, the official announcement coming on Tuesday.
Koepka, 35, has been one of the Saudi-backed circuit’s marquee names since 2022, when the upstart league became play. However, unlike Bryson DeChambeau, Koepka was never one to publicly bang the drum for the league in its war against the PGA Tour, and acknowledged at the 2023 Masters he might not have defected had his game and health been in a better state the previous year. Koepka has also not been shy about his frustrations with LIV as the league continued to struggle to garner an audience. "I think we all hoped it would have been a little bit further along, and that's no secret,” Koepka remarked this spring.
Conversely, Koepka scored arguably the biggest win for LIV Golf by capturing the 2023 PGA Championship, proof that players could still remain competitively relevant after jumping to the league. Jon Rahm joined LIV later that year, with DeChambeau winning the U.S. Open the following summer.
There have been rumors for years that Koepka was mulling a return to the PGA Tour, although those whispers didn’t hold much weight given the length of his deal with LIV. Yet, despite another year left on his LIV contract, the league revealed that Koepka will not return to the league in 2026.
“We have amicably and mutually agreed that Brooks Koepka will no longer compete in the LIV Golf League, following the 2025 season,” read a statement from LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil. “Brooks is prioritizing the needs of his family and staying closer to home.”
There has been no direct statement from Koepka, although his representatives offered, “Brooks Koepka will be stepping away from LIV Golf. He is deeply grateful to Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Scott O’Neil and the LIV Golf leadership team, his teammates, and the fans. Family has always guided Brooks’s decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home. 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.”
Koepka is coming off one of his more frustrating years in 2025, missing the cut in three of the four majors. He finished 31st in LIV’s individual standings.
What Koepka will do next is unclear. The PGA Tour has remained adamant about suspensions regarding LIV defectors, with players facing at least one year sidelined from the last LIV outing. Koepka, who was not part of the contingent that sued the tour in the onset of golf’s civil war, could receive an exemption, or he could compete on the DP World Tour in 2026 until it resolves its appeal case regarding LIV suspensions.
The PGA Tour posted the following statement regarding Koepka’s decision. “Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success. The PGA Tour continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.”
The move is another blow to LIV Golf, which is down to DeChambeau and Rahm as its tentpole players. With its 2026 season starting in February, LIV has failed to garner new star talent for the third time in its last four offseasons. Additionally, the PGA Tour has turned down recent overtures from LIV’s financial backer, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, regarding a possible unification of the professional game.
Koepka was the captain of the Smash G.C. on the LIV circuit. With his departure, LIV Golf announced that Talor Gooch has been elevated to team captain in 2026. Koepka's spot on the four-man team roster will be replaced in advance of the February start to the 2026 season.