LIV Golf Players: Four-Time Major Winner Leaving PGA Tour For Saudi-Backed League

One of the biggest names on the PGA Tour is reportedly headed to the LIV Golf Invitational Series. Brooks Koepka will join the controversial Saudi-backed league, according to James Corrigan of The Telegraph.

The news comes just days after the U.S. Open, where Koepka expressed disappointment that there was so much talk about LIV Golf. The 32-year-old is set to become one of LIV's best and most recognizable players.

"I'm here at the U.S. Open," Koepka told reporters last week. "I'm ready to play the U.S. Open, and I think it kind of sucks, too, you are all throwing this black cloud over the U.S. Open. It's one of my favorite events. I don't know why you guys keep doing that. The more legs you give [LIV Golf], the more you keep talking about it."

Brooks Koepka is in the Travelers Championship field. Players going to LIV Golf haven’t been suspended by the PGA Tour previously until they’ve actually hit a shot. Certainly a possibility he could sign today and still play this week. Bonkers.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) June 21, 2022

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan suspended 17 players for competing in the first LIV Golf event. Koepka is expected to join that list and become ineligible for PGA tournaments once he plays for LIV Golf.

The next LIV Golf event is scheduled for June 30 through July 2 at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Portland, Oregon. Koepka's brother, Chase Koepka, played in the first LIV Golf tournament at Centurion Golf Club near London in the week prior to the U.S. Open.

Koepka has won four major championships and is No. 19 in the world golf rankings. Phil Mickelson is the only LIV Golf player that has won more majors than Koepka. Dustin Johnson, the No. 16 golfer in the world, is the only LIV player who is ranked higher.

The 2019 PGA Championship marked Koepka’s fourth major in eight tries. It was also his last major victory. Koepka finished in 55th place at this year’s U.S Open and PGA Championship. He failed to make the cut at the 2022 Masters.

After a $5.2M season last year, Brooks Koepka had bagged "just" $1.3M on the course in 2021-22. He posted two Top 5s, but missed the Masters cut, and placed 55th at both the PGA Championship and US Open. https://t.co/jAoeUO2Eqn
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 21, 2022

Koepka had three top-six finishes at 2021 majors and earned $5.2 million on the course. Through more than half of this PGA Tour season, Koepka has earned $1.317 million and ranks 84th in the FedExCup Standings.

Koepka has made just under $38 million in his PGA Tour career over the last decade. The top LIV players have reportedly signed guaranteed deals worth at least $100 million.