Brooks Koepka handed LIV Golf one of its biggest setbacks yet in December, with the five-time major champion reaching an agreement to leave the league ahead of the final year of his contract.
LIV Golf had not previously dealt with the loss of a superstar name. Of course, it was inevitable that one player would look to leave at some stage given how different LIV had been.
Is this the end of LIV Golf?
It proved to be Brooks Koepka who opted to move on before his contract came to an end. It is obviously a big setback for LIV at a time when the PGA Tour has reestablished itself as the number one stage for the world’s best players.
One of the players many wanted to hear from following the news was Jon Rahm, with the Spaniard the last big name to make the jump from the PGA Tour.
Jon Rahm issues his verdict on Brooks Koepka leaving LIV Golf
Rahm’s move in December 2023 had the potential to be a turning point for the game. However, with Bryson DeChambeau now hinting that his own future is up in the air, some are concerned that Rahm will be left in a nightmare position.
In an interview with Subpar, Rahm was asked about whether he was surprised by Koepka’s departure.
“I had an idea but more through him than the league itself. I don’t know what happened, but I know he was dealing with some stuff off the golf course. I still don’t know what’s happened,” he said.
“I saw they made an announcement about a miscarriage. Luckily, I can’t say what that feels like. I don’t wish it on anybody. I know that’s tough on some people.
“I wish him the best. I’ve had some great times with Brooks on the golf course. Obviously, in the ’23 Masters, we had that playoff in ’24 at Greenbrier. Going at it at the Ryder Cup a few times, he’s always fun to play with. Fast, honest guy. Wish him nothing but the best.
“Obviously, wish that I could keep playing with him, but hopefully we can compete for other events, majors in the future.”
Jon Rahm suggests whether he thinks Brooks Koepka would make an immediate return to the PGA Tour
Obviously, everyone will agree with Rahm that the most important thing is that Koepka and his family are doing well. Golf is completely irrelevant when it comes to what they have had to deal with over the last 12 months.
With his departure from LIV, it seems likely that Koepka will find his way back to the PGA Tour at some stage. But of course, he is likely facing some sort of suspension for leaving for LIV in the first place.
Brian Rolapp gives you the opportunity to make one change to the PGA Tour, what are you doing?
What is top of your agenda?
There will inevitably be a temptation for Brian Rolapp to change the rules to allow Koepka to come back sooner. And Rahm thinks that the 35-year-old would be happy to go back to the PGA Tour almost as soon as he is allowed.
“I think he would. I think he might need to take some time, but I think he would, 100 per cent,” he added.
Someone who has also left LIV recently is Pat Perez. The veteran spent the 2025 season as part of the broadcasting team. But as Perez told Brandel Chamblee, he is looking to play PGA Tour Champions.
However, he is facing a one-year suspension from the time of LIV’s most recent event – something that Rahm cannot quite fathom.
“That’s a little ridiculous. The fact that those two guys get the same punishment for broadcasting, I won’t say much more on that, but that’s a little ridiculous,” he said.
That suspension is going to look even more baffling if the red carpet is now rolled out for Koepka.
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