LIV Golf is losing one of its biggest stars, as five-time major champion Brooks Koepka is leaving the league despite having one year left on his contract.
“We have amicably and mutually agreed that Brooks Koepka will no longer compete in the LIV Golf League, following the 2025 season,” LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said in a statement released late Tuesday afternoon. “Brooks is prioritizing the needs of his family and staying closer to home. We appreciate the significant impact he has had on the game and wish him continued success, both on and off the course.”
Koepka joined LIV midway through its first season in 2022, signing a five-year deal worth more than $100 million. In 2023, he became the first active LIV player to win a major, claiming victory at the PGA Championship (which is run by the PGA of America and has never banned LIV players like the PGA Tour has).
A statement from Koepka’s representatives said the golfer is “deeply grateful” to LIV figurehead Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, O’Neil, LIV’s leadership team, his teammates, and fans.
“Family has always guided Brooks’s decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home,” Koepka’s statement read. “Brooks will continue to be a huge supporter of LIV Golf and wishes the league and its players continued success. Brooks remains passionate about the game of golf and will keep fans updated on what’s ahead.”
Shortly after the news broke, the PGA Tour released a statement of its own: “Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success. The PGA Tour continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.”
It’s unclear whether the PGA Tour would welcome Koepka back in 2026, or if his LIV contract would even allow him to play on the PGA Tour. Non-PGA Tour members who have competed in LIV events have faced one-year bans from PGA Tour events, but there is no formal process for a former member like Koepka to return.
This fall, Laurie Canter became the first former LIV member to earn a spot on the PGA Tour, but then decided to rejoin LIV in 2026 rather than play on the PGA Tour. Canter had never been a PGA Tour member.
Koepka remains eligible to compete in the four major championships (his 2023 PGA Championship victory earned him five-year exemptions), beginning with the Masters in April. Beyond playing the majors, Koepka could also potentially play DP World Tour events, if the PGA Tour is not an option.
The PGA Tour is considering massive schedule changes as soon as 2027, so having Koepka and any other former LIV players return for that season could be a boon. Bryson DeChambeau’s LIV contract also expires after the 2026 season, but he has been a much more vocal supporter of LIV than Koepka.
Koepka was captain of Smash GC team at LIV, and won five individual tournaments. He earned $38.3 million in individual prize and bonus money at LIV. Koepka has $43.8 million in PGA Tour prize money, which includes major championships.
