LIV Golf Has Hit Its Crossroads with Superstars Exiting

LIV Golf has hit a crossroads, as superstars in the golf league are exiting, or hinting at doing so, just a few months after its third season.

Brooks Koepka, perhaps one of the biggest blows to the PGA TOUR when he left for the Saudi-backed golf league, mutually parted ways with LIV earlier this month. It was the first major signing to defect from the league in its short history, marking a significant event in the history of LIV. One of its biggest acquisitions is saying goodbye, and it could be the first of several.

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka is stepping away from LIV Golf, effective immediately, his representatives said Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/uTJoqLQkf9

— ESPN (@espn) December 23, 2025

With Koepka’s departure, LIV is losing the player who won it its first Major Championship, as he took home the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, outlasting PGA TOUR young gun Viktor Hovland.

Koepka’s play has not been to its normal standard since going to LIV, but that does not mean he’s been even close to bad. He’s still won five individual titles, was the team captain of Smash Golf Club, and took home millions in winnings.

But it could be the writing on the wall for the league, as mainstay and perennial favorite Bryson DeChambeau also seemed to hint that he could be on his way out, too.

DeChambeau said (via FlushingIt):

“I don’t know about before Riyadh, there are a lot of things to go through… You know, it’s a scenario that is very unique. With Brooks leaving it definitely throws in some unique things. And look, I mean, like I’ve said all along, I want to do this, I want to grow team golf across the globe. But it has to be right. And there are a lot of things that have to be done in order for it to be right, you know? Things have got to change. Things have got to improve. And I think Scott’s done a fabulous job with the year that he’s had. And I think this year’s going to be even better, now he’s got the right people in place, and he can run the organisation the way he wants to do this here. So it’s going to be interesting to see, especially with the new branding coming on. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens.”

DeChambeau has built his persona outside of professional golf leagues, becoming one of the biggest creators on the YouTube platform as well. He said he could be fine just doing that, but it would be hard to imagine him not competing for Major Championships.

LIV has a real dilemma on its hands as of now. If names start to defect from it as they did from the PGA TOUR, it will be interesting to see how long the Saudis keep up their investment. Retention of the biggest names is how it will keep its business afloat for years to come. However, Koepka’s exit could be the first of many, and players could receive some sort of benefits from the TOUR to deal a final blow to LIV.

Cover Image via Fox News