Like many others, Jon Rahm is not quite sure what Brooks Koepka’s surprising early split from LIV Golf means for the American’s future in professional golf.
When asked by GOLF’s Subpar podcast if he thought opting out of LIV a year ahead of the end of his deal was a path for Koepka to serve a likely PGA Tour suspension before rejoining the Tour a year later, Rahm was unsure.
“I have no idea,” said Rahm, a two-time major champion. “I don’t know how it works. Does he get reinstated right away? I don’t know.”
Since Koepka did not renew his PGA Tour membership after the 2022 season, he must formally re-apply to join, and because he left to join the rival LIV Golf league, violating Tour rules, it is expected he will face some kind of suspension.
“He might need to take some time, but I think he would (return to the PGA Tour),” Rahm said. “He’ll probably play at least the minimum, I would say. Why not the events he likes? The big ones, if he can then make himself into elevated events or get into elevated events, he’d play those as well.”
Rahm said although he does not know specifics, he was not shocked when LIV Golf and Koepka released a statement on Dec. 23 announcing they had “amicably and mutually agreed” that Koepka would no longer compete in the league, despite having a year remaining on his contract.
“I had an idea (this might have been coming) but more through him than the league itself,” Rahm said. “I don’t know what happened. I know he was dealing with some stuff off the golf course — I still don’t know what happened.”
Parts of LIV Golf’s statement on Koepka’s departure referenced a desire to be closer to his family.
“Brooks is prioritizing the needs of his family and staying closer to home,” the statement 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.”
Koepka’s LIV tenure was laden with highs and lows.
He won five times during four LIV seasons. When he won the 2023 PGA Championship — becoming the first active LIV member to win a major — after spending most of his days playing in LIV’s comparatively non-competitive environment that featured 54-hole, no-cut tournaments, it gave LIV a big boost of credibility.
On the flip side, Koepka occasionally expressed frustration with his situation, making it sound like the 2017 and 2018 U.S. Open champion and 2018, 2019 and 2023 PGA winner was marking time.
Rahm had nothing but positive memories to share of his time playing with Koepka.
“I wish him the best. I’ve had some great times with Brooks on the golf course,” Rahm said. “Obviously the ‘23 Masters (when they were in the final pairing), we were in that playoff in ‘24 at Greenbrier, going at it at the Ryder Cup a few times. He’s always fun to play with. Fast, honest guy. Wish him nothing but the best. Obviously wish he’d stay and I could keep playing with him, but hopefully we can compete for other events or majors in the future.”
–Field Level Media
