Is This the Beginning of the End for LIV Golf?

Brooks Koepka’s decision to reapply for PGA Tour membership has sent a shockwave through the golf world, raising a serious question: is LIV Golf finally beginning to unravel? With one of its biggest stars walking away and seeking a return to the PGA Tour, the narrative around the Saudi‑backed league is shifting faster than anyone expected.

When LIV Golf launched in 2022, it promised disruption, innovation, and a new era for professional golf. It lured major champions with unprecedented contracts and positioned itself as a bold alternative to the PGA Tour. For a time, it worked—LIV became the sport’s most polarizing storyline, and players like Brooks Koepka were at the centre of it.

But now, Koepka’s departure and his formal application to regain PGA Tour membership may mark a turning point. And not in LIV’s favour.

Koepka Walks Away — A Major Blow to LIV

According to multiple reports, including ESPN and Sky Sports, five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka left LIV Golf in late December 2025, despite having a year remaining on his contract. LIV described the split as “amicable,” citing Koepka’s desire to prioritise family and reduce travel demands.

But the real headline came days later: Koepka officially applied for reinstatement to the PGA Tour, beginning the disciplinary and review process required for any LIV defector seeking a return.

This is not just any player. Koepka was:

• One of LIV’s earliest and most high‑profile signings

• A team captain

• A multiple major champion still in his competitive prime

• A symbolic figure in LIV’s claim to legitimacy

  
  

His exit is the clearest sign yet that the league’s grip on its stars may be weakening.

Why Koepka’s Return Matters More Than Any Other Defection

Koepka isn’t the first player to leave LIV—but he is by far the most significant. His move raises several uncomfortable questions for the league:

1. If a five‑time major winner wants out, who’s next?

Koepka’s departure could embolden others who feel stuck in a league with no world ranking points, limited competitive pathways, and uncertain long‑term prospects.

2. LIV’s promise of stability is cracking

LIV sold itself as a long‑term, guaranteed‑money haven. Koepka leaving early—despite a year left on his contract—undermines that narrative.

3. The PGA Tour suddenly looks like the safer bet

With ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the landscape is shifting. Koepka may simply be the first to read the writing on the wall.

The Reinstatement Process: A Long Road Back

Koepka’s return won’t be immediate. The PGA Tour has historically required a one‑year sit‑out period from a player’s last LIV event. His final LIV appearance was in August 2025, meaning he may not be eligible until late 2026—unless the Tour adjusts its policies amid ongoing negotiations.

Still, the fact that Koepka is willing to wait speaks volumes.

What This Means for LIV Golf’s Future

Koepka’s exit doesn’t kill LIV Golf—but it undeniably weakens it. The league now faces:

A credibility crisis

If stars begin to trickle back to the PGA Tour, LIV risks becoming a revolving door rather than a stable competitive platform.

A talent drain

Without world ranking points, players risk losing major championship access. Koepka’s own ranking had plummeted to 244th—a warning sign for others.

A narrative problem

LIV’s biggest selling point was star power. Losing a star of Koepka’s magnitude damages the brand more than any format criticism ever could.

So… Is This the Beginning of the End?

Not necessarily the end—but absolutely the beginning of a new phase.

Koepka’s departure is the first major crack in LIV’s armour. If more players follow, the league could face an existential crisis. If he remains an outlier, LIV may stabilise—but the psychological blow is already dealt.

What’s clear is this:

Koepka’s decision has shifted the momentum in professional golf. For the first time since 2022, the PGA Tour—not LIV—feels like the place players want to be.

And that alone should worry LIV’s leadership.