Brooks Koepka says goodbye to the Liv Golf

After four years, a big name is saying goodbye to the Saudis: Brooks Koepka is saying goodbye to the LIV GOLF Tour. The five-time Major winner has announced his departure from the Saudi-funded circuit after the 2025 season. The decision was made “amicably and mutually” and motivated by “the priority given to his family.” This is a major blow to LIV GOLF as it enters its fifth year.

According to CEO Scott O’Neil, the reason for the decision is Koepka’s desire to prioritize his family and stay closer to home in Florida. “We appreciate the significant impact Brooks has had on the game and wish him the best both on and off the court,” O’Neil said.

Brooks Koepka, biography

Koepka, who was ranked No. 1 in the world for 47 weeks between 2018 and 2019, was one of LIV’s biggest players when it launched in 2022. He made tour history by becoming the first LIV player to win a Major, the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill. He has five overall wins on the tour, but his performance has declined in 2025. This year he has just two top-10 finishes and a 31st place finish on the 54-player tour.

The real question now is his future. PGA Tour rules require a one-year layoff after his last match against Saudi rivals before he can return, after which Koepka will have to reapply for membership. Brooks’ advantage lies in the fact that he is not a party to the antitrust lawsuit LIV filed against the PGA Tour in 2022. Perhaps this approach can help him achieve a potential return.

Strangely, the PGA Tour chose to comment on the player’s decision. “Brooks Koepka is a top professional and we wish him and his family the best of luck,” the statement said. “The PGA Tour continues to provide the world’s best professional golfers with the most competitive, challenging and rewarding environment in which to pursue excellence.”

What do you think? Come and have your say in our Facebook group.

Meanwhile, Koepka has already proven he can compete on the DP World Tour, where he played four tournaments in 2025 and finished fourth at the Open de France. He played the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, while Bethpage Black was absent due to injury.

Koepka’s departure further weighs on LIV GOLF. The number of top players under contract is decreasing: Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson and Tyrrell Hatton. No one knows for sure how Koepka will be replaced. For the 2026 season, which starts in February in Saudi Arabia, the circuit has so far only signed Victor Perez and Laurie Canter. A qualifying school is scheduled for January to award two places in the LIV.

The broader issue of LIV joining the official World Golf Ranking system, which is still awaiting approval, also remains open.