What's happened
Brooks Koepka will step away from LIV Golf after the 2025 season to focus on family, ending his contract that began in 2022. His departure follows a successful career with LIV and a major win in 2023. The PGA Tour has not confirmed any exemption for him to compete in 2026.
What's behind the headline?
The end of Koepka's LIV contract marks a significant shift in the landscape of professional golf. His departure underscores the ongoing tension between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, especially as LIV's top players consider their futures. Koepka's move to step away appears driven by personal priorities, but it also signals potential instability within LIV's roster of star players. The PGA Tour's silence on exemptions suggests uncertainty about Koepka's eligibility for 2026, which could influence his ability to compete in majors. This development may accelerate the fragmentation of professional golf's top talent pool, with players weighing personal and financial considerations against tour commitments. The broader implications include the future of LIV Golf's competitiveness and its ability to retain high-profile players amid ongoing legal and political pressures. Koepka's exit could also influence other LIV players contemplating their futures, potentially leading to more departures or negotiations for exemptions.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that Koepka's departure is a mutual decision, emphasizing his focus on family and his support for LIV Golf. The article highlights his career highs, including a major win, and notes the lack of clarity from the PGA Tour regarding his eligibility for 2026. AP News confirms the announcement of his departure and the appointment of Talor Gooch as LIV's new team captain, with LIV CEO Scott O'Neil reiterating the mutual nature of the decision. The NY Post emphasizes Koepka's longstanding career, his recent decline in major performances, and his personal reasons for stepping away, including a recent pregnancy loss. All sources agree that Koepka remains supportive of LIV Golf but is prioritizing his personal life, with no definitive statement on his future tournament plans.
How we got here
Koepka joined LIV Golf in 2022 with a reported $100 million contract, leaving the PGA Tour where he was a top player and major champion. His move was part of a broader shift of star golfers to LIV, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Despite his success, including a 2023 PGA Championship win, his recent years have seen a decline in major performances. His departure from LIV aligns with his desire to spend more time at home, especially following personal family losses.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Brooks Koepka is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour. In October 2018, he became World Number 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking after winning the 2018 CJ Cup. He won the U.S.
-
The Super Golf League is a proposed golf league. SGL is owned by LIV Golf, which is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia.
-
Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan is a Saudi business personality who is Governor of the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Chairman of Saudi Aramco.
-
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main professional golf tours played by men in the United States and North America. It organizes most of the events on the flagship annual series of tournaments also known as the PGA Tour, as well as PGA Tour Champions