He may be the 244th player in the world, but with one stunning decision, Brooks Koepka has become the most interesting man in golf. . . again.
Koepka has been the best golfer in the world and, at times, the game’s most intriguing personality – but as we race towards 2026, the former seems like a distant memory while, as of Tuesday night, he has reclaimed the latter title.
Koepka has was officially moved from Smash GC and his LIV Golf experiment, a 3.5-year journey that rewarded generations of wealth. Which means his next move — carving out a life after LIV while still in the prime of his game — will be scrutinized and anticipated by everyone from Justin Thomas to Joe Schmoe to John Henry. According to complimentary public statements, Koepka will spend more time with his family. But after that…
Who knows?
And that might be the point.
Koepka has almost always liked to lay his cards on the table and let others talk about it — Brandel Chamblee’s occasional diatribe aside. This is the man who posed naked for ESPN’s Body Issuehas often sparred with reporters at press conferences and even hosted a made-for-TV golf event rooted entirely in his disdain for Bryson DeChambeau. He’s so smooth in his swing — his anti-establishment mindset so blatant — that the golfing public has come to expect it from him. That weird, “It’s hip, bro” comment he made to a golf writer years ago? His agency has marked it.
But as for the question on everyone’s mind – what will golfer Koepka do next? — you can assume that a couple of dozen people have inside information. His agent. His family. It’s a safe bet that Rory McIlroy has some idea of ​​Koepka’s intentions, their career trajectories forever linked and their relationship unscathed by Koepka’s initial move to LIV. It even seems the PGA Tour has a clue. The Tour knew of Koepka’s intention to announce his decision on Tuesday. In the wake of LIV’s “Thank you, Brooks Koepka” message, the Tour released a statement so dark it’s not worth including:
Brooks Koepka is a very accomplished professional and we wish him and his family continued success.
The PGA Tour continues to provide top professional players with the most competitive, challenging and profitable environment in which to pursue greatness.
There were signs that this might be coming. two weeks ago, Sports Business Journal reported such a decision may be in the works. But as with all things LIV Golf and its staff’s playing decisions — as evidenced by Jon Rahm’s December surprise two years ago — nothing is ever certain. You’ll just have to wait, watch, and act only when the league — or, in this case, leagues — makes it official.
There’s been a fun looseness to Koepka’s decisions for a long time — this is a guy who dyed his hair blonde in the months leading up to his wedding — but his move to LIV wasn’t a bad one. It came to 2022, when he was racking up more injuries than wins and wondering if his career as an elite player may be over. The timing coincided neatly with the year Saudi funding upended the sport, and Koepka saw a hefty offer, eventually committing to four years. And yet, throughout his time at LIV, during which he won four times, it never quite felt like he was all-in on the league. When his fellow captains came out about the momentum of the league, he was much more reserved. When he won the 2023 PGA Championship, he was given every opportunity to make it a win for LIV. He never took the bait. Now, on the eve of the last year of that contract, the parties have parted “amicably”. All that seems to make sense are these 16 words from Koepka’s representatives:
“Brooks remains passionate about the game of golf and will keep fans updated on what’s next.”
It’s deliberately vague wording, but it suggests that, when it comes to professional golf, Brooks isn’t going anywhere. So please keep watching. The PGA Tour’s stance on former LIVers has often required a 12-month ban after a player’s last LIV start. For Koepka, that restriction would be lifted in late August, coincidentally the final week of the ’26 PGA Tour season, barring a sudden change of heart at Tour headquarters. He will be able to earn exemptions in DP World Tour events, which are dotted across Europe, but is likely to direct most of his attention to the four majors, for which he is exempt, and where the sportsbooks will give him a chance for a punch – he has won five of them – and many punters will be betting.
Koepka’s current form doesn’t deserve that level of respect; DataGolf ranks him 158th in the world. As he moves forward into unfamiliar territory, it is unclear what sanctions he will face in a return to the tournament he deliberately left. But it’s at least worth considering what he’s given us recently.
In a busy pro-golf stretch this fall, while the world turned its attention to Bethpage Black and the Ryder Cup, Koepka quietly played four events on the DP World Tour, via three sponsor invitations. The form he showed was that of a man in search of something: a missed cut at the Irish Open, followed by another MC a week later at Wentworth. All after a T47-T29-T50 finish to his LIV season.
But then, a not-so-subtle stroke of brilliance: a T4 finish at the Open de France, just a week before the Ryder Cup. And the week after the Cup, a T15 at Dunhill Links.
It was a month-long reminder of what Koepka’s career has felt like: daring us to write it off only to resurface again and wonder why we ever bothered to look away.
;)
