The simmering feud between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour continues to hold the world of golf in a tense grip, with no resolution in sight. The mooted idea of a merger remains up in the air, causing a lively debate among golf enthusiasts about whether any players who jumped ship to LIV would make a play to return to the PGA Tour. Amidst this speculation, one name keeps cropping up: Brooks Koepka.
Despite his dismissive comment, “Everybody seems to know more than I do,” about the swirling rumors, there are compelling reasons fueling the speculation. For starters, Koepka’s LIV Golf contract is due to end in 2026. Moreover, he stands out in the league as the only player who doesn’t sport his team’s branded gear. The narrative has gathered steam, particularly after Fred Couples suggested that Koepka is keen to rejoin the Tour, citing his frequent conversations with the player.
However, these rumors have ruffled feathers within the LIV Golf establishment, particularly its new CEO, Scott O’Neil. As one of LIV Golf’s star names, Koepka’s potential departure is a sensitive issue. Based in Singapore, O’Neil has reminded the golf community that Koepka’s contract doesn’t expire until the end of the 2026 season, subtly hinting that he still has time left with LIV.
O’Neil, exuding confidence, revealed that other players have been renewing their contracts, just as LIV Golf anticipates. He also hinted that LIV is on a recruitment drive to ensure it fields the best players globally, a veiled threat to the PGA Tour.
Adding fuel to the fire, O’Neil sparked controversy last month when he boldly claimed that LIV Golf boasts the world’s top players. This comment was widely viewed as a dig at the PGA Tour, causing a flurry of fan reactions and comparisons. Despite the PGA Tour’s higher representation in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), LIV Golf nevertheless holds a roster of skilled players, which only ratchets up the tension in this ongoing debate.
In 2024, golfer Wyndham Clark categorized players into two groups based on “pedigree.” He argued that star players should have the freedom to choose their playground, but he lamented the decisions of lesser-known players who defected to LIV. The confusion within the Tour isn’t just about finances; it’s about loyalty, or the lack thereof.
Several LIV players, including Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Sergio Garcia, forfeited their Tour memberships to join the Saudi-backed league. Others not only left the Tour for LIV but pursued an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour in 2022, including Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, and Talor Gooch. This has left a sour taste in the mouths of players who stayed, like Justin Thomas, who commented in February 2024 that he isn’t against their return, but it shouldn’t be a walk in the park.
A week after Thomas’s comment, fellow Tour player Rory McIlroy said, “It’s hard to punish people.” A year later, we are still grappling with rumors and stalled merger discussions. With leading players like Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau in the mix, this conversation is far from over. So, what do you think the future holds? Will the resolution be peaceful—if it comes at all?
