Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka will not compete as part of the LIV Golf League in 2026.<\/p>\n
The five-time major champion, who joined the controversial league in 2022 and had a year remaining on his LIV Golf contract, is leaving \u00a0with the league\u2019s blessing, according to a statement, calling the departure \u201camiable\u201d and that he is \u201cprioritizing the needs of his family and staying closer to home.\u201d<\/p>\n
LIV Golf made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Koepka, 35, who won the 2023 PGA Championship while playing for LIV Golf<\/a>, suffered through a tough season that saw him miss the cut in three of the four major championships while also failing to win on LIV, where he had just two top-10 finishes and was 31st among 54 players in the individual standings.<\/p>\n His wife, Jena, suffered a miscarriage earlier this year which she announced via Instagram.<\/p>\n dark. Sign Up Now. SI Golf Newsletters. Sports Illustrated\u2019s Free Golf Newsletters<\/p>\n His captaincy for the LIV Golf team, Smash, will go to Talor Gooch. The team will have an opening to fill prior to the start of the 2026 season in February.<\/p>\n \u201cBrooks Koepka will be stepping away from LIV Golf,\u201d according to a statement from his management team released by LIV Golf. \u201cHe is deeply grateful to Yasir Al-Rumayyan (the governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, (LIV CEO) Scott O\u2019Neil, and the LIV Golf leadership team, his teammates and the fans.<\/p>\n \u201cFamily has always guided Brooks\u2019 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\u2019s ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Koepka becomes the first star player to leave LIV Golf and his return to the PGA Tour will be the subject of considerable speculation.<\/p>\n The Tour has suspended players who competed in LIV Golf events<\/a>, calling them unauthorized. Non-members have been subject to a year ban following their last LIV event. Koepka was previously a PGA Tour member, however, and it will be interesting to follow his case. <\/p>\n The first step will require Koepka to reapply for PGA Tour membership, if he desires. From there, the Tour would decide on any disciplinary action as it relates to how long\u2014if at all\u2014he would be required to sit out. A Tour representative offered no other details on what might occur next.<\/p>\n In a statement posted to social media, the Tour wished Koepka and his family the best and said it “continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.”<\/p>\n Official Statement from the PGA TOUR pic.twitter.com\/DkYCPnwRSg<\/a><\/p>\n