PGA Tour releases cryptic statement after Brooks Koepka becomes first major LIV Golf casualty

Brooks Koepka has quit LIV Golf in a move which could throw professional golf’s power struggle wide open.

The five-time major winner becomes the first high-profile player to leave the Saudi-backed breakaway league – three years after joining.

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A statement from his representatives read: “Family has always guided Brooks’ decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home.

“Brooks will continue to be a huge supporter of LIV Golf and wishes the league and its players continued success.

“Brooks remains passionate about the game of golf and will keep fans updated on what’s ahead.”

The 35-year-old’s wife Jena Sims recently revealed the couple, who share a young child together, suffered a miscarriage earlier this year.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil insisted the decision was ‘mutually and amicably’ agreed.

“We appreciate the significant impact he has had on the game and wish him continued success, both on and off the course,” said O’Neil.

However, the most intriguing statement came from the PGA Tour, who appeared to suggest Koepka would be welcomed back – albeit cryptically.

“Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success,” read the PGA Tour statement.

“The PGA Tour continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.”

What happens next?

It is understood Koepka had one year left on his lucrative LIV contract – which included a signing-on bonus worth up to $130million.

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Despite collecting a further $40m in prize money since 2022, winning five events over four seasons, the American never seemed truly enamoured by the controversial project.

He won the 2023 PGA Championship before suffering a serious loss of form.

Koepka’s future has been a source of constant speculation – and his decision leaves the PGA Tour with a big call to make.

Players who defected to LIV Golf were immediately suspended by the Tour and remain banned until a year has passed since their last ‘unauthorised’ event.

That would make Koepka ineligible to return until August.

Should the Tour make an exemption for one of the world’s most high-profile players, it could mark a watershed moment in what has been described as a civil war in the professional game.

LIV Golf, which recently announced its shift to a more traditional 72-hole format, has struggled to establish commercial success since spending billions of dollars on disruption.

Major signings have dried up as the circuit has not been able to secure OWGR [Official World Golf Ranking] points – which means players without exemptions have no route into major championships.

While it retains star power through the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, the long-term future of the league’s biggest stars would be thrown into doubt if Koepka was able to quit and return to the PGA Tour immediately.

The news comes one day after Mito Pereira quit golf entirely following relegation from the LIV Golf tour.