LIV Golf have been dealt a major blow at the end of a disastrous offseason for the Saudi-backed league.
Brooks Koepka left LIV Golf in December, making the five-time major winner the first major name to jump ship. All eyes were then on the PGA Tour to see whether they would allow him back instantly and send a message to the rest of the LIV players considering a return. And they did.
Pending some conditions, which included a $5 million charitable donation, Koepka returns to the PGA Tour in 2026, and the tour has made it clear to a select number of LIV players that the deal isn’t exclusive to Koepka. They said Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith can also come back this season under the same conditions.
This is an existential threat to LIV, which relies on its star power far more than the PGA Tour, which is built on history and tradition. The Saudi-backed league has been unable to recruit anyone of note this year, and there is now a real risk that its biggest stars will finally call it quits.
In an attempt to bail water, LIV have made two signings in response to Koepka’s PGA Tour return. But will it be enough to snatch momentum back and turn the tide?
Is this the end of LIV Golf?
LIV Golf to make two signings ahead of 2026 season
After negotiations with Si Woo Kim fell through, the future of LIV’s Iron Heads GC team has been shrouded in uncertainty. But reports suggest that all is resolved, as the team has undergone a complete facelift.
Iron Heads is no more, replaced by the newly named Korean Golf Club, featuring a brand-new White Tiger logo. And there are two new signings joining the team, according to reports from Korean media.
First is Byeong-hun An, who was the youngest-ever US Amateur champion when he won it in 2009, and the second-ever winner of both the US Amateur and the British PGA Championship by winning at Wentworth in 2014.
However, An doesn’t have a single PGA Tour victory to his name, so perhaps a fresh start on LIV can jump-start his career at the age of 34.
Should Bryson DeChambeau leave LIV Golf in 2026?
The second signing for the newly-named Korean Golf Club is Min-kyu Kim, a name that golf fans may be less familiar with. He was the winner of the 2024 Korean Open on the Asian Tour and finished tied for 31st at the 2024 Open Championship.
The 24-year-old has seven professional wins to his name, three on the Korean Tour, and is now set to test himself against greater competition on LIV. Admittedly, it’s a massive step up for Kim.
After reports that captain Kevin Na will step away from the team, An and Kim will be joined by Younghan Song, who served as a reserve player on LIV last season, and Danny Lee, who played for Iron Heads GC.
Japanese golfer Jinichiro Kozuma will also be leaving the team, according to reports, and he posted a petty message on X following the news.
Jinichiro Kozuma posts petty message following reported Korea Golf Club announcement
Kozuma was one of the stars of the team formerly known as Iron Heads GC, as his individual heroics led the team to the 2024 Team Championship final.
But the Japanese player evidently didn’t fit into the new Korean team’s plans, so he’s made way for these two new signings. And he’s not too happy about it, judging by his social media activity.
Following the news, Kozuma posted to X: “I’m looking forward to seeing if they’re a better player than I am.”
Kozuma is right to feel hard done by. He’s performed well for the team during his tenure with Iron Heads, and based on form, doesn’t deserve to lose his spot. Yes, Korean Golf Club wants a strong identity to grow the game their country, but it does feel harsh to kick Kozuma out.
Hopefully he can find another team ahead of the 2026 season and show his former team what they’re missing.
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