‘Defining step for my future’: Two PGA Tour pros join LIV Golf, major stars re-sign

Brooks Koepka’s decision to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour has dominated the golf civil war discourse this week. So much so that news of the Tour’s Koepka coup obscured the fact that two Tour players defected to LIV Golf shortly afterwards.

Seasoned PGA Tour professionals Byeong Hun An and Thomas Detry both joined LIV Golf this week, with one of LIV’s biggest stars signing a new contract to remain in the league for years to come.

Here’s what you need to know.

An, Detry leaves PGA Tour for LIV amid Koepka news

Earlier this week, LIV confirmed that Detry would make the move for 2026. Detry had a breakthrough season last year, earning his first PGA Tour victory at the WM Phoenix Open.

Detry eventually finished 44th in the final FedEx Cup Standings. He is currently ranked 58th Official world golf rankings as he makes the transition to LIV.

On Wednesday we heard that An would also make the jump to LIV Golf in 2026.

Although An never won a PGA Tour event, the 34-year-old veteran had five second-place finishes during a lengthy Tour career in which he earned more than $21.5 million on the course. A first broke onto the international stage with his victory at the US Amateur in 2009, when he was just 17 years old.

In one statement on social media WednesdayAn said he was “grateful” because his PGA Tour career allowed him to “fulfill the dreams I have had since childhood.”

But he also revealed that with the 2025 PGA Tour season in the rearview mirror, he would now embark on a “new chapter and a new challenge” with LIV Golf.

An will take over as captain of the new Korean golf club, replacing Kevin Na, who is leaving LIV.

In a separate statement as part of a LIV Golf press release announcing the news, An said: “Joining LIV Golf is a decisive step for my future. LIV Golf will be a leading force in the game and a truly global golf competition with a clear vision for the future. I see a great opportunity to grow my career as captain of the Korean Golf Club.”

You can read An’s full social media statement below.

Over the past decade, the PGA Tour has allowed me to realize the dreams I’ve had since childhood. I am truly grateful for every moment I spent on the field and for all the incredible support I received along the way.

However, after the 2025 season, I felt it was time for a new chapter and a new challenge in my life. As such, I have decided to continue my professional career with LIV Golf and take on the role of Captain for the Korean Golf Club.

I have always been passionate about supporting junior golfers and the next generation of players. While this is just the beginning, I want to help these athletes realize their dreams on the world stage. Leading Koren Golf Club is the perfect opportunity to achieve that goal.

I am incredibly excited about this new role and the journey ahead. I kindly ask for your continued support and interest as I take on this new challenge. With sincere thanks – Ben An

Dustin Johnson signs a new contract to stay with LIV

While it’s hard to argue that the additions of An and Detry will make up for the loss of Koepka, owner of five major titles, another multi-major winning star chose to remain with LIV Golf for years to come.

Dustin Johnson, the two-time major winner, signed a new multi-year contract with LIV this week. Johnson was one of the first major stars to leave the PGA Tour for LIV in 2022.

Johnson will continue to captain the 4Aces team and Detry will play alongside him.

“This team is built for big moments, and 2026 is an opportunity for us to take another step forward. Thomas Detry is a great addition; he is confident, competitive and that fits exactly with what we are about. We have the talent, chemistry and mentality to be there all season,” Johnson said in a press release announcing his new contract.

Because he didn’t win a major between 2022 and 2025 (his last came at the 2020 Masters), Johnson is ineligible for the PGA Tour’s Returning Player Program, which gave Koepka an expedited path back to the Tour.

Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith are eligible for the Returning Player Program, but all three players have committed to play at LIV this year.