Brooks Koepka has ripped off the band-aid and become the first star player to leave LIV Golf.
This could be the ground-breaking move that marks the beginning of the end of the Saudi-backed league.
Their star players, like Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka, have looked unhappy on the tour after a serious dip in form, and now the first big name has jumped ship.
Koepka’s decision underlines what has been a disastrous offseason for LIV. They have been unable to sign any big-name players, and even their negotiations with Si Woo Kim fell through. With Koepka leaving LIV, their roster is undoubtedly worse than it was at the start of 2025. Not ideal.
Even the most ardent supporters of LIV can’t deny that this is a big blow. Their silence has been deafening since the news was announced. But what Phil Mickelson said back in 2023 has now been proven completely wrong by Koepka.
Is this the end of LIV Golf?
Phil Mickelson proven wrong by Brooks Koepka
One of the biggest questions surrounding LIV over the last few seasons has been what punishment, if any, their players would face if they tried to return to the PGA Tour. We’re about to find out with the tour’s decision on Koepka.
In 2023, Mickelson weighed in on this debate. He replied to a post on X saying that the punishments could be different for players depending on their “standing in the game”. The six-time major winner said no player wants to return, so there’s no point in having the discussion.
He replied: “What a colossal waste of time. Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour. It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to Clout Media to disparage all of us. A better topic is future sanctions for the many players who now come to LIV”.
Sorry Phil, but almost every part of that is wrong. Clearly, LIV players want to play on the PGA Tour, and as for the “many players” who would be joining LIV? Where are they?
Si Woo Kim and Sungjae Im denied any intention of joining LIV, and their biggest signings of the summer are Victor Perez and Laurie Canter.
The six-time major winner’s premonition couldn’t have aged more poorly.
Brooks Koepka’s replacement reacts to him leaving LIV Golf
Koepka is leaving his LIV team, Smash GC, and his teammate Graeme McDowell was the first LIV player to react to the news on social media.
Talor Gooch replaced Koepka as captain and also shared a message on social media once the news came out.
He posted: “I want to start by thanking @BKoepka. He is one of the greatest competitors in the game and I have learned so much from him while being his teammate on Smash GC. He’s a friend and teammate, and I have great respect for his decision. I wish him, Jena, and their family all the best.
Which of these LIV Golf stars would you least like to see back on the PGA Tour?
“Looking ahead, I am incredibly honored and excited to officially take on the Captaincy role for the 2026 season. I’m excited and ready to embrace this new leadership and career challenge. I’m eager to build on the competitive standard Brooks established and work with our players to lead this team into this next successful chapter.”
Losing Koepka means one of LIV’s marquee teams, Smash GC, which a five-time major winner once captained, is now headed up by a player whose best-ever major finish was a T14 at the 2022 Masters. That’s yet another sign of just how big of a blow this is for the tour.
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