Brooks Koepka makes huge LIV Golf announcement amid PGA Tour speculation

Brooks Koepka has revealed that he will not play under the LIV Golf banner in 2026. The five-time major championship winner joined the Saudi-backed breakaway league back in 2022 after impressing on the PGA Tour.

A major player on the Smash team, captaining Talor Gooch, Jason Kokrak and Graeme McDowell, the 35-year-old has racked up five wins on the LIV circuit over the past three years. However, he will not vie for further titles with LIV in the New Year.

That's also despite Koepka having a year left on his contract with the promotion. A statement announcing Koepka's departure from LIV read: "Brooks Koepka will be stepping away from LIV Golf He is deeply grateful to Yasir Al-Rumayyan (the governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, (LIV CEO) Scott O’Neil, and the LIV Golf leadership team, his teammates and the fans.

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"Family has always guided Brooks’ decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home. 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."

Meanwhile, LIV Golf CEO, Scott O'Neil, said: "We have amicably and mutually agreed that Brooks Koepka will no longer compete in the LIV Golf League, following the 2025 season.

"Brooks is prioritising 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."

In the wake of his exit, Gooch will now step up as the captain of Smash for 2026. Speaking about the opportunity, the American said: "Looking ahead, I am incredibly honoured and excited to officially take on the Captaincy role for the 2026 season.

"I’m excited and ready to embrace this new leadership and career challenge. I’m eager to build on the competitive standard Brooks established and work with our players to lead this team into this next successful chapter."

As a result of his exit, Koepka becomes the first star to walk away from LIV, and his next move will certainly be subject to speculation - especially with regards to a potential return to the PGA Tour.

The prestigious banner has suspended players who take part in LIV Golf events worldwide, with non-members seeing a year-long suspension in total after their last LIV outing.

Regardless, the Floridian will have the ability to play in the Masters, the US Open and the Open until 2028 as a result of exemptions.

He can also play in the PGA Championship for the rest of his career, as a result of winning the tournament in 2018, 2019 and 2023.

Elsewhere, Koepka could opt to play in DP World Tour events, taking part in four this year alone while juggling his LIV commitments. The most likely scenario for the golfer will be spending more time with his family at home.

Koepka has been married to Jena Sims since June 2022, having initially gone public with their relationship five years earlier. The two also have a son, Crew, who was born in July 2023.