Brooks Koepka has decided to leave LIV Golf with one year still remaining on his contract, bringing an end to his nearly four-year stint with the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit.
The 35-year-old five-time major champion joined the controversial league in 2022, a move that contributed to significant upheaval across professional golf as numerous elite players abandoned the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
The American golfer is said to be leaving the globe-trotting league because he wants to be closer to home and spend more time with his family.
According to media sources, Koepka has received the blessing of LIV Golf to leave, with the organisation describing the separation as ‘amicable and mutually agreed’. It is not known whether he will suffer any financial penalty for breaking his contract early.
In a prepared statement, a spokesperson from Koepka’s management firm said: “Brooks is deeply grateful to Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Scott O’Neil, and the LIV Golf leadership team, his teammates, and the fans. Family has always guided Brooks’ decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home. He 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.”
Koepka’s captaincy of the LIV Golf team, Smash GC, will now pass to Talor Gooch, with the side having an opening to fill for the start of the 2026 season in February.
The current PGA Tour policy on players who left to join LIV requires them to wait for a year from their last participation before applying to rejoin. LIV ended its 2025 season on August 24, meaning that Koepka would have to sit out virtually the entire 2026 season, although he has exemptions to play in all four major championships.
Koepka began his career on the European Tour and would have access to play there. He played four DP World Tour events this year, with a best placed fourth in the French Open in September.