Koepka becomes first major winner to leave LIV Golf

Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, has left LIV Golf to prioritize “his family’s needs.”

The 35-year-old American won five events over four seasons before controversially leaving the PGA Tour to join the Saudi Arabian-backed series in 2022.

Brooks’ decisions have always been influenced by his family, and his family believes this is the ideal time to spend more time at home, according to a statement released on Tuesday from his representatives. “Brooks continues to be enthralled by the game of golf.”

Koepka’s contract reportedly had a year left, but LIV Golf’s CEO, Scott O’Neil, stated that his departure had been “amicably and mutually agreed.”

Koepka, who was born in Florida and has a young son, turned professional in 2012 and spent nine years competing on North America’s elite professional circuit.

In a statement, the PGA Tour also expressed gratitude to Koepka and “his family for continuing success,” adding that they “continue to provide the best professional golfers with the most competitive, challenging, and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.”

Koepka, a three-time US Open champion, has also won twice.

In a time when the sport appeared to be at war, his defection from the PGA Tour was viewed as a major coup for LIV, along with big names like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau.

Talor Gooch will now take over as Koepka’s LIV Golf team captain as the team prepares to face competition in February for the opening day of the 2026 season.

Koepka leaves LIV Golf as the first major player, but there has been much rumors about his future and a potential return to the PGA Tour.

Players who entered LIV Golf events were flag as unauthorised by the Tour and have since been suspended. Following their previous LIV event, non-members have been subject to a year-end ban.

Koepka will also be permitted to play in each of golf’s four major championships and be eligible to play on the DP World Tour.

Koepka’s departure marks a significant development as the first major-winning player to leave the lucrative breakaway league.

Since winning the US PGA Championship in 2023, the five-time major champion has suffered a dramatic decline in form. His involvement with LIV was unremarkably lukewarm, and he rarely praised the Saudi-backed venture in the same way as many of its other recruits.

It will be fascinating to see what comes next. He will not be eligible to play on the PGA Tour until August, which will be one year after his last LIV appearance.

Could one of the game’s biggest names’ rules be changed, though? That would be a highly contentious decision.