The ongoing rivalry between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour continues with no resolution in sight regarding their potential merger. The golf world remains divided on whether any players who defected to LIV Golf will attempt a return to the PGA Tour. At the center of this debate is Brooks Koepka.
Koepka’s Future Sparks Rumors
Despite Koepka’s dismissal of speculation—stating, “Everybody seems to know more than I do”—several factors fuel the rumors. First, his contract with LIV Golf is set to expire in 2026. Second, he is the only LIV player who does not wear his team’s branded gear. Adding to the speculation, golf legend Fred Couples recently claimed that Koepka is eager to return to the PGA Tour, mentioning that he stays in frequent contact with him.
Brooks Koepka’s LIV contract runs through the end of the 2026 season, this was confirmed by LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil who said he has “a couple more years left” at a media function in Singapore.
Scott also said other players have renewed their contracts already and there was a… https://t.co/OdXrZQ9hN9
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) March 14, 2025
LIV Golf CEO Responds with a Warning
Brooks Koepka is one of LIV Golf’s biggest stars, and the rumors of his potential departure have not gone unnoticed by the new LIV Golf CEO, Scott O’Neil. While acknowledging that Koepka’s contract does expire in 2026, O’Neil emphasized that he still has “a couple more years left” with LIV. This statement suggests that LIV Golf may not let him go without a fight.
O’Neil also revealed that several players have renewed their contracts and that LIV is actively recruiting new talent to strengthen its roster. This move appears to be a direct challenge to the PGA Tour, reinforcing LIV’s ambition to remain a powerhouse in the sport.
The Return Dilemma: Can LIV Players Rejoin the PGA Tour?
The possibility of LIV golfers returning to the PGA Tour remains a complex issue. Back in 2024, Wyndham Clark discussed the matter, categorizing players into two groups based on “pedigree.” He argued that big-name players should have the freedom to play where they choose but was less supportive of lesser-known golfers attempting to return. His stance highlights the challenge of reconciling loyalty and professional ambition within the sport.
Many LIV players, including Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Sergio Garcia, gave up their PGA Tour memberships when they joined the Saudi-backed league. The more contentious issue lies with those who not only left for LIV but also took legal action against the PGA Tour, including Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, and Ian Poulter. Their departure left behind resentment, as evident in comments from PGA Tour players like Justin Thomas, who in 2024 said, “There’s a handful of players on LIV who would make the Tour a better place, but I definitely don’t agree that they should be able to come back that easily.”
Rory McIlroy also weighed in at the time, stating, “It’s hard to punish people.” A year later, the question of LIV players returning remains a hot topic, especially with names like Jon Rahm, Koepka, and DeChambeau potentially in play. As merger talks stall, the debate over whether their return would be smooth—or even possible—remains unresolved.
What’s Next?
The future of Brooks Koepka and his potential return to the PGA Tour remains uncertain. With his contract set to expire in 2026 and tensions between the two leagues still high, any move would likely be met with controversy. Will Koepka make the jump, or will he remain with LIV Golf?Only time will tell.