The four-year-old rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has intensified recently.
That’s because five-time major champion Brooks Koepka has decided to swap one for the other.
The PGA Tour announced on Monday that Koepka had agreed to rejoin them after quitting LIV.
LIV then swiftly responded with a lengthy statement that included a subtle dig at the Tour.
How will Brooks Koepka perform during the 2026 PGA Tour season?
Could he really win this year?
LIV Golf take a subtle dig at the PGA Tour
Eagle-eyed fans noticed that LIV’s announcement on Koepka’s decision featured similar words to the Tour’s.
Indeed, LIV stole a sentence from the Tour’s statement and added a few extra words to make a point.
Tour CEO Brian Rolapp wrote: “The PGA Tour continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging, and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.”
LIV then used the same sentence with the phrase, “on a global scale,” at the end to highlight that they travel to many different countries.
The PGA Tour has been criticized for being too United States-focused, and LIV have just added fuel to that fire.
LIV Golf’s full statement on Brooks Koepka’s departure
LIV Golf’s response to Brooks Koepka’s departure made it abundantly clear that they view themselves as competition to the PGA Tour.
While they did not mention the Tour explicitly, it was not a coincidence that LIV focused on the “global” aspect of their circuit in their press release.
They firmly believe that this is one of the key reasons they are the premier professional golf tour, ahead of the PGA.
LIV’s statement read: “From the outset, LIV Golf has championed an open ecosystem and freedom, for all. Not just for a limited few.
Who is more deserving of PGA Tour starts in 2026?
Koepka or Vijay Singh…
“One that supports players’ rights to compete across various platforms, reinforcing the belief that the growth of the game is best served when the game’s best players are empowered to seek the most competitive environments around the world.
“LIV Golf’s vision remains unchanged – to grow the game of golf globally – and as that vision gains momentum across the broader golf landscape, the capacity to deliver on it continues to strengthen by expanding pathways and opportunity beyond any single institution or interest.
“As the world’s golf league, LIV Golf continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging, and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness on a global scale. Long LIV Golf”
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
