With family as a top priority listed for Brooks Koepka’s LIV Golf exit, golf fans are presuming that the Florida native’s move could be with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL in Palm Beach Gardens
19:46 ET, 23 Dec 2025Updated 19:48 ET, 23 Dec 2025
Brooks Koepka leaving LIV Golf could open the door for Rory McIlroy(Image: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Brooks Koepka’s decision to step away from LIV Golf after the 2025 season was framed as personal and amicable, but the timing of his exit may fall perfectly in line to be scooped up by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL digital golf league.
The five-time PGA Tour major champion and prominent golfer will not play LIV events starting in 2026 after fulfilling this year’s obligations. He cited family priorities, including his son Crew with his wife Jena, and a tough year that included a publicly disclosed miscarriage in October 2025, as reasons for his career choices.
“Family has always guided Brooks’ decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home,” his management team said. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil also made it clear that Koepka’s exit was not tied to performance, tension, or politics.
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McIlroy and Woods’ TGL joint venture is continuing to gain momentum with bidders even wanting to purchase expansion franchises outside of the league’s seven teams. The tech-forward league is based entirely in South Florida, roughly a 17-minute drive from Koepka’s hometown of West Palm Beach.
Koepka lives in Pennock Point, a $9 million waterfront property in Jupiter, placing him less than an hour from the venue and firmly within the same South Florida ecosystem that already houses Woods, McIlroy, and several other elite players.
Jena Sims and family were influential in Brooks Koepka’s decision (Image: Getty Images)
TGL’s schedule aligns with Koepka’s desire to stay home, and its TV-ready format meets his needs. The PGA Tour’s rules restrict players who join the rival league from competing for one year after their last participation, which renders Koepka immediately ineligible.
The PGA responded to the news, writing, “Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success.”
While no deals has been announced, fans have already begun attempting to connect dots online, pointing out that few opportunities would allow Koepka to stay closer to home without stepping away from high-level competition entirely.
Brooks Koepka is leaving LIV Golf before his contract ends(Image: Getty Images)
Speculation intensified earlier this year when Koepka was spotted in attendance at a TGL match last February which The Bay Golf Club defeated Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club. Koepka drew attention by standing and applauding Kevin Kisner after a shank shot remembered as the first in league history.
Koepka joined LIV Golf in 2022 in a deal valued at approximately $100 million. Although under contract until 2026, he left before the end of his final year. He served as the captain of Smash GC but will now be replaced by Talor Gooch.
Brooks Koepka and Jena Sims previously lost a pregnancy, making him prioritize being near home(Image: John Nacion/WWD via Getty Images)
TGL’s pay structure featured a $21 million pot in Season 1, with the winning team pocketing $9 million by the end of the year. Each team has four players, equalling over $2 million payouts for each team member.
Atlanta Drive Golf Club defeated New York Golf Club 2-0 in the best-of-three finals to win the title last year. The team consists of Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, and Lucas Glover.
