Renowned golfer Brooks Koepka is set to part ways with LIV Golf next year, marking the end of his four-year stint with the controversial league. Koepka, who has clinched five major championships, initially joined LIV Golf in 2022 after leaving the PGA Tour, sparking a significant shake-up within the golfing community.

Backed by Saudi investments, LIV Golf made headlines by attracting several prominent players away from established tours like the PGA and DP World Tours, igniting what many have described as a civil war within the sport. Koepka’s contract with the league was supposed to last another year, but he has announced his departure earlier than anticipated.

The decision to leave, coming less than four years after his initial move, was described as ‘amicable’. According to a report by Bob Harig, Koepka has received the circuit’s blessing to exit. The golfer’s management team cited family priorities and a desire to remain closer to home as key reasons for his decision.

In a statement released by LIV Golf, Koepka expressed his appreciation for the support he received during his tenure. He extended his gratitude to Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, as well as LIV CEO Scott O’Neil, the leadership team at LIV Golf, his teammates, and the fans who supported him.

‘Brooks Koepka will be stepping away from LIV Golf,’ according to a statement from his management team released by 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. 

‘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.’ 

Professional golfer Brooks Koepka will leave LIV Golf next year, he announced on Tuesday 

The five-time major champion had one year left on his deal with the Saudi-backed circuit

Meanwhile, in their own statement, the PGA Tour: ‘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’.

Since his arrival on the circuit, Koepka has captained the Smash team, which will now be passed to his former teammate Talor Gooch. 

While Koepka’s captaincy has been filled, his exit leaves Smash with an opening with just two months remaining before the start of the 2026 season in February. 

The sudden exit comes as Koepka and his wife, Jena Sims, navigate a period of intense personal grief following the loss of their second child.

Sims, 36, revealed the couple was devastated after learning at 16 weeks that their unborn baby’s heart had stopped beating.

Sharing the news on Instagram, the model wrote: ‘This is a grief no parent is ever prepared for. We are devastated, but remain hopeful to give Crew a sibling one day’.

The couple, who wed in 2022, are already parents to two-year-old son Crew, whose traumatic arrival six weeks premature in 2023 saw him spend 20 days in intensive care.

Sims, a prominent Sports Illustrated model, has often been a fixture at her husband’s side, most recently seen supporting him with young Crew at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews.

The PGA Tour released their own statement shortly after Koepka’s announcement on Tuesday

Professional golfer Brooks Koepka’s wife, Jena Sims, shared that they have lost a baby 

Despite the emotional toll, Koepka must now navigate a complex professional minefield as he eyes a return to traditional competition.

He is expected to face a mandatory one-year ban from the PGA Tour, calculated from the date of his last appearance in an unauthorized LIV event in August 2025.

This suspension could keep the star sidelined from the U.S. circuit until the September 2026 FedEx Cup Fall series.

In contrast, the DP World Tour remains an immediate option, as Koepka currently holds membership and is not barred from their upcoming events.

The five-time major winner remains eligible for all four major championships through 2028, providing a global stage while he serves his exile from the PGA Tour.