But threatening to leave is one thing, and actually doing it is quite another. This is the biggest blow to LIV during their dismal offseason. Not only have they been unable to make any significant signings, with Si Woo Kim’s deal seemingly falling through, but now they have lost some serious star power.
Depending on how the PGA Tour reacts to Koepka leaving, this could mark the beginning of the end for LIV Golf. And a LIV player has already responded to the news.
Graeme McDowell reacts to Brooks Koepka leaving LIV Golf
Graeme McDowell, who played in the first-ever LIV Golf event in 2022, was the first to react on social media to this news.
The four-time PGA Tour winner was Koepka’s teammate on Smash GC and gave him nothing but thanks.
He posted to X, “Nothing but love and gratitude to @BKoepka for the opportunities he has given me the last couple of seasons on @SmashGC. One of the best players have seen play this great sport.”
Is this the end of LIV Golf?
Smash GC was one of LIV’s marquee teams, featuring two major winners in the form of Koepka and Talor Gooch. Gooch will take over as the team’s captain.
But where this leaves Smash GC, and LIV Golf as a whole, because of their lack of signings, remains unclear. There’s an incredible amount of uncertainty surrounding the tour because of this news.
Michael Kim reacts to Brooks Koepka news
McDowell isn’t the only player to have reacted to the bombshell news. PGA Tour winner Michael Kim, who is always active online, was clearly shocked.
His reaction on X can be seen below.
Of course, this isn’t just massive news for LIV. How the PGA Tour handles this process will be pivotal to the future of other out-of-form stars on LIV Golf, such as Jon Rahm, who was winless in 2025, Cam Smith, and Dustin Johnson, to name just a few.
Forcing Koepka to battle back on the DP World Tour could put off a few of those names, but letting him back in with no consequence risks causing an uprising in their locker room. All eyes are on the PGA Tour, externally and from within.