Brooks Koepka Becomes First Player to Leave LIV Golf, PGA Tour Return Now in Focus

Five time major champion Brooks Koepka has become the first high profile player to depart LIV Golf, a move that marks a significant moment in the ongoing divide within professional golf and raises fresh questions about a potential return to the PGA Tour.

LIV confirmed Koepka’s exit on its website as part of a separate announcement naming Talor Gooch as the new captain of the Smash team, previously led by Koepka. The decision ends Koepka’s tenure with the Saudi funded league, which he joined during its high profile launch phase.

LIV chief executive Scott O’Neil said the split was mutual and described it as an amicable decision between both parties. According to O’Neil, Koepka is stepping away to prioritize family commitments and spend more time closer to home. He added that LIV appreciated Koepka’s influence and contribution during a formative period for the league.

Koepka’s departure is notable given his status as one of the most decorated players to join LIV, with five major championships and a reputation as one of golf’s most competitive performers on the biggest stages. His exit represents the first clear example of a player moving away from LIV rather than toward it, potentially shifting the narrative around long term commitments to the breakaway circuit.

Attention now turns to whether the PGA Tour would allow Koepka to return. The tour has previously imposed suspensions on players who joined LIV, and any path back would likely involve negotiations, conditions, or policy changes. While no official discussions have been confirmed, Koepka’s situation could serve as a test case for how the sport handles reintegration.

For golf fans and officials alike, Koepka’s move adds a new chapter to an evolving power struggle that continues to reshape the professional game.