When a five-time major champion makes a move, the golf world pays attention. Brooks Koepka’s decision to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour isn’t just a personal career pivot - it’s a statement. And it might be the clearest signal yet that the LIV experiment, for all its splashy signings and bold claims, is starting to show some cracks.
Koepka’s Return: A Turning Point?
Let’s be clear: Koepka wasn’t just another name on the LIV Golf roster. He was one of its biggest stars, arguably second only to Bryson DeChambeau in terms of draw and recognition.
So when Koepka walks away - despite the financial benefits LIV once offered - and willingly pays a reported $5 million to rejoin the PGA Tour, it says something. Not just about his priorities, but about the direction this whole thing might be heading.
This isn’t just a one-off move either. Pat Perez has also announced his intention to return to the PGA Tour.
That’s two players who were early adopters of LIV now heading back to the traditional tour - and doing so with penalties attached. That’s not nothing.
That’s momentum.
DeChambeau: The Face of LIV, But For How Long?
Bryson DeChambeau remains LIV’s marquee name. He’s the biggest draw still on the roster, and he knows it. As the PGA Tour opens a window for players to return by February 2, DeChambeau seems to be weighing his options - or at least using this moment as leverage in contract talks with LIV.
He’s 32 now, turning 33 in September, and while that’s still prime territory for many golfers, the clock is ticking. His 2024 U.S.
Open win gives him major exemptions through 2029, but beyond that? It’s hard to say.
Golfers in their late 30s can still win, sure - Vijay Singh’s nine-win season in 2004 is proof of that - but it’s rare. And Bryson knows it.
If he’s going to make another big move, now is the time. Whether that’s back to the PGA Tour or securing an even bigger payday from LIV remains to be seen. But Koepka’s exit gives him a lot to think about.
Who’s Staying Put?
Phil Mickelson isn’t going anywhere. He was one of the architects of LIV Golf, working behind the scenes long before the league officially launched.
At 56, he’s no longer a serious contender in most events, but he still carries star power and a loyal fan base. His 2021 PGA Championship win - which made him the oldest major winner in history - was a career-capping moment, but it also underscored how rare it is for players his age to compete at the highest level.
For Mickelson, LIV isn’t just a paycheck - it’s a platform. And he needs that platform to remain viable for at least a few more years. If LIV can hold on until he hits 60, he’ll have ridden out the final stretch of his competitive career on his own terms.
Cameron Smith is another likely holdout. The Australian has a strong connection to Greg Norman, LIV’s original figurehead and a fellow Aussie.
Even though Norman has stepped back from the spotlight, that national loyalty still matters. Smith’s decision to stick with LIV seems tied as much to relationships as to dollars.
Jon Rahm: Still in the Middle
Jon Rahm’s situation is a little more complicated. He didn’t jump to LIV right away, but the influence of Phil Mickelson - and of Rahm’s agent, Steve Loy, who also represents Mickelson - eventually helped sway him. Winning a second major in The Masters only increased his value, and LIV was ready to pay for it.
Sergio Garcia’s presence in LIV likely played a role too. Rahm has always spoken highly of Garcia, and having another Spanish star in the fold gave LIV a cultural and personal edge in its pitch. But now, with Koepka heading back and the PGA Tour offering a path for reinstatement, Rahm may be re-evaluating his position.
The Bigger Picture
Brooks Koepka’s return doesn’t mean the end of LIV Golf. But it does mark a shift.
It’s a public crack in what was once positioned as an unshakable alternative to the PGA Tour. When a player of Koepka’s caliber chooses to come back - and pays millions to do so - it sends a message.
Not just to fans, but to other players who might be on the fence.
The PGA Tour, for all the criticism it’s taken over the last few years, just scored a major win. And the fact that players are willing to pay their way back in suggests that the traditional tour still holds something LIV can’t quite replicate - legacy, competition, and relevance.
For those still with LIV, the question becomes: how long are you willing to play in the shadows? Because while the checks might still cash, the spotlight is starting to shift.