What appeared to be the worst kept secret in the game was confirmed on Tuesday with the news that Brooks Koepka has left LIV Golf ahead of the 2026 season.
There has been a question mark over Brooks Koepka‘s LIV Golf future for a little while now. There were reports that Koepka could leave LIV this winter despite his contract expiring at the end of next year.
Is this the end of LIV Golf?
It was noted that Koepka would have to pay LIV a substantial sum to get out of his deal.
And LIV have now confirmed that they have reached a mutual agreement with the five-time major champion, with Talor Gooch set to take over as the new captain of Smash GC.
PGA Tour release statement as Brooks Koepka’s LIV Golf exit is confirmed
As things stand, Koepka is suspended from returning to the PGA Tour before 2027. But of course, the opportunity to welcome back one of the game’s most successful performers does not come around very often.
LIV’s statement noted that Koepka wants to spend more time with his family. And the PGA Tour have now issued their own reaction to the news.
Interestingly, they do not appear to have shut the door on the possibility of Koepka making a more immediate return.
A huge setback for LIV Golf ahead of the 2026 season
It is clearly a huge blow to LIV Golf to lose Koepka. Obviously, it does appear that golf is not the 35-year-old’s priority right now. So it may be that he decides to take some time away from the game.
Koepka has been backed to play on the DP World Tour. However, the PGA Tour would surely be wise to do all they can to change the rules to allow Koepka to return sooner.
If spending time with his family is the issue, it is hard to imagine that Koepka will be making a return to the European circuit for the upcoming season.
But whatever happens next, there is no question at all that it is a big setback for LIV.
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