Brooks Koepka’s LIV Exit: Who’s Next to Walk Away?

Brooks Koepka’s departure from LIV Golf dropped on Tuesday afternoon, and the golf world collectively said, “Wait, what?” Sure, there were whispers. But this isn’t just about one guy leaving; it’s about what happens when a five-time major champion and one of LIV’s biggest names can walk away with a year still on his contract. If Brooks can do it, who’s next?

The statement was carefully worded, citing family priorities and the need to spend more time at home. After the tragedy Koepka and his wife Jena endured earlier this year with their miscarriage, nobody’s going to question a man wanting to be closer to his 2-year-old son, Crew. That’s real life. That matters more than any golf league.

Here’s how this works in professional sports: when one star walks, everybody else starts asking themselves the same questions. And right now? All eyes are on Bryson DeChambeau.

The Bryson Question

DeChambeau didn’t mince words when FlushingIt asked about his contract situation. His five-year deal, reportedly worth north of $100 million, expires after the 2026 season. Talks are happening, but nothing’s inked yet. And his comments? Oh, they’re telling.

“I didn’t have that on my bingo card for the 23rd of December,” DeChambeau said about Koepka’s exit.

But what he said next? That’s the part that should have LIV executives sweating: “It’s where I want to be, but ultimately, it’s got to make sense for everybody. Because I could just do YouTube golf and be totally fine as well.”

Think about that for a second. One of LIV’s biggest stars, arguably *the* biggest in terms of social media reach and fan engagement, just publicly said he has options. Good options. Options that don’t involve being tied to any league whatsoever.

Is the Foundation of LIV Starting to Crack?

LIV Golf is standing at a crossroads right now. Koepka struggled last season, with just two top-10s, 31st in the points standings, and missed three of four major cuts. For a guy wired like Brooks? That had to eat at him. When you’re underperforming and stuck in a format that doesn’t bring the same week-to-week competitive fire as the PGA Tour, doubts start creeping in.

DeChambeau himself hinted at this when discussing his potential contract renewal: “Things have got to change. Things have got to improve.” That’s not the language of someone who’s completely satisfied with the status quo.

He praised LIV CEO Scott O’Neil, saying he’s “done a fabulous job” and has “the right people in place.” But there’s a “but” hanging in the air. New branding is coming. Changes are promised. Will they be enough?

The Recruitment Problem

LIV’s situation just got messier. With Koepka gone, they need to fill his spot on Smash GC. Phil Mickelson needs a new teammate after Andy Ogletree got relegated. And here’s the kicker: they haven’t landed a marquee signing since Jon Rahm joined in December 2023. That’s nearly two years ago.

Meanwhile, their recent recruits? Solid players, sure, Victor Perez and Laurie Canter have talent, but they’re not exactly household names. They’re not driving viewership or creating buzz the way a Koepka or DeChambeau does.

If DeChambeau walks, LIV doesn’t just lose a great player; it loses its most marketable asset. The guy with 2.5 million YouTube subscribers who’s making golf cool to a younger generation. You can’t replace that.

What Happens Next?

The path back to the PGA Tour isn’t simple for Koepka. According to ESPN, he’ll need to reapply for membership after letting it expire in 2022. There will be a “reinstatement and disciplinary process” involving “thoughtful input from the board, including player directors.” Translation: it’s going to be complicated, potentially messy, and definitely political.

But Koepka’s got leverage. He’s exempt into the PGA Championship for life and the other three majors through 2028. He can cherry-pick his spots, play the majors, and watch how everything shakes out. Maybe the PGA Tour and LIV finally reach a deal. Maybe they don’t. Either way, Brooks has options.

And if Brooks has options? So does Bryson. So do plenty of others.

My Final Thoughts

Let’s be clear: LIV Golf isn’t collapsing. Calm down. But Koepka’s departure *is* significant because it shatters the assumption that once you sign with LIV, you’re locked in for life. It proves that even with guaranteed money and a cushy schedule, some players still want something different.

DeChambeau’s contract talks will be fascinating to watch. He’s clearly leveraging Koepka’s exit to negotiate better terms (more innovative structure, more input, whatever “things have got to change” means to him). Good for him. He’s earned that leverage.

For LIV, the real question isn’t just whether they can keep Bryson. It’s whether other players are watching this whole thing unfold and quietly thinking, “Huh. Maybe I have options too.”

The first domino just fell. Now we’re all watching to see if there’s a second.