{"id":397331,"date":"2026-01-07T10:59:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/397331\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T10:59:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:59:29","slug":"jon-rahm-makes-confession-about-brooks-koepkas-liv-golf-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/397331\/","title":{"rendered":"Jon Rahm makes confession about Brooks Koepka’s LIV Golf exit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jon Rahm says he was aware Brooks Koepka<\/a> was likely to quit LIV Golf.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Five-time major champion Koepka, 36, became the first big name to quit the PIF-backed league last December.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The American controversially quit the PGA Tour<\/a> in 2022 and won five LIV Golf events over four seasons. He was also the first LIV player to capture a major at the PGA Championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Koepka had one year remaining on his contract that was reportedly worth north of $100m but, according to LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil, was allowed to walk away early<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Family has always guided Brooks’ decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home,” read a statement from LIV.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Last October, Koepka’s wife, Jena Sims<\/a>, revealed she sadly suffered a miscarriage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rahm told the latest edition of GOLF’s Subpar<\/a> he was aware Koepka was “dealing with some stuff off the golf course”.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I had an idea [Koepka was leaving], but more through him than the league itself,” said Rahm<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I don’t know what happened, but I know he was dealing with some stuff off the golf course.<\/p>\n

“I still don’t know what’s happened, so I think I saw they made an announcement about a miscarriage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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“So, luckily, knock on wood, I can’t say what that feels like, but I don’t wish it on anybody. I know that’s tough on some people.<\/p>\n

“I wish him the best. I’ve had some great times with Brooks on the golf course”<\/p>\n

Rahm was referencing his 2023 Masters victory where they played together in the final group. Koepka had a comfortable lead but surrendered it to the Spaniard, later admitting he choked. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The two also faced each other in a play-off at LIV’s stop at The Greenbrier in 2024 and they have locked horns in the Ryder Cup<\/a> on more than one occasion. \u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s been, it’s always fun to play with fast, honest guy,” Rahm said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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“Wish him nothing but the best. I mean, obviously, I wish he’d stay and keep playing with them, but hopefully we can compete for either other events [and] majors in the future.”<\/p>\n

Where Koepka plies his trade before the first major of the season is unclear.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The likely destination for Koepka is the DP World Tour given he came through the ranks on the Challenge Tour before joining the PGA Tour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There is speculation, though, that Koepka may have to forfeit cash should he play in a DP World or PGA Tour event before his contract officially expires.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In that scenario, Koepka could turn to LIV’s official feeder, the International Series on the Asian Tour, to remain sharp.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Rahm said: “I mean, I know he played DP World Tour events in the fall, which he has the last few years, so he’s played those events.<\/p>\n

“He almost won in France, right? So I guess right now [he will] probably keep playing those events and come August, right, he’ll be eligible again to be able to play, so I don’t know.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“He won a major in 23, so in theory he should be exempt.”<\/p>\n

The PGA Tour deem LIV Golf events “unauthorised” and even non-members are subject to one-year bans should they tee up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pat Perez, a former LIV pro with aspirations to play the PGA Tour Champions, says he is subject to the suspension for simply appearing on a broadcast.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Rahm said he assumes Koepka will be held to a different standard.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Like, I won’t say much more on that, but that’s a little ridiculous,” Rahm said. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Whatever Koepka decides to do, Rahm believes he won’t be playing a burdensome schedule.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“He’ll probably play at least the minimum, I would say,” said Rahm.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The events he likes, the big ones, if he can make himself into elevated events or get invites to elevated events, he would play those as well.”<\/p>\n

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