Brooks Koepka delivered a significant blow to LIV Golf in December, agreeing to leave the league ahead of the final year of his contract.
LIV had never lost a player of Koepka’s stature before. It was always going to happen at some point, given how different LIV is compared to traditional tours, but it wasn’t clear who would be first or when it would happen.
The timing couldn’t be worse for LIV. The PGA Tour has firmly re-established itself as the top stage for elite golfers, and losing a name like Koepka only widens that gap.
Jon Rahm was one of the players people were eager to hear from after the news broke, especially since he was the last major star to make the switch from the PGA Tour.
Jon Rahm shares thoughts on Brooks Koepka’s LIV Golf exit
Rahm’s switch to LIV in December 2023 was supposed to mark a significant moment in the sport, but with Bryson DeChambeau now hinting at his own doubts, there’s growing talk that Rahm might find himself isolated.
Speaking on Subpar, Rahm was asked if he was caught off guard by Koepka deciding to leave the league.
“I had an idea but more through him than the league itself. I don’t know what happened, but I know he was dealing with some stuff off the golf course. I still don’t know what’s happened,” he said.
“I saw they made an announcement about a miscarriage. Luckily, I can’t say what that feels like. I don’t wish it on anybody. I know that’s tough on some people.
“I wish him the best. I’ve had some great times with Brooks on the golf course. Obviously, in the ’23 Masters, we had that playoff in ’24 at Greenbrier. Going at it at the Ryder Cup a few times, he’s always fun to play with. Fast, honest guy. Wish him nothing but the best.
“Obviously, wish that I could keep playing with him, but hopefully we can compete for other events and majors in the future.”
Jon Rahm hints at whether he believes Brooks Koepka will make an immediate return to the PGA Tour
It’s clear that golf is the least important thing for Koepka right now, given what he and his family have been through over the past year. Everyone can agree that their well-being comes first.
Koepka’s exit from LIV raises questions about when he might return to the PGA Tour. Even if it happens, a suspension for his initial move to LIV is likely waiting for him.
There could be pressure on Brian Rolapp to amend those rules and bring Koepka back sooner than expected. And Rahm believes that once eligible, Koepka would be eager to return.
“I think he would. I think he might need to take some time, but I think he would, 100 per cent,” Rahm said.
Perez isn’t the only one in this position either. Pat Perez also left LIV and spent 2025 working as part of their broadcasting team. Now looking towards playing on the PGA Tour Champions, Perez told Brandel Chamblee about his plans but is facing a one-year suspension tied back to LIV’s last event.
Rahm finds that hard to understand: “That’s a little ridiculous. The fact that those two guys get the same punishment for broadcasting, I won’t say much more on that, but that’s a little ridiculous.”
If special allowances are made for Koepka while others serve suspensions for non-playing roles, it will only raise more questions about consistency in how these cases are handled.
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