Brandel Chamblee rips into LIV Golf League as Brooks Koepka quits

Not for the first time in his career, Brandel Chamblee has slammed LIV Golf — this time on the same day Brooks Koepka shockingly quit the breakaway league. 

Chamblee, 63, has been a vocal critic of the Saudi-bankrolled operation ever since its inception in the summer of 2022, and Koepka's shock exit ahead of the 2026 season has seemingly given the Golf Channel analyst another excuse to go to town. 

News of Koepka's decision to walk out of LIV Golf came late in the day on 23 December. 

Koepka has taken the decision to step away from LIV Golf because he wants to spend more time with his family. 

Brooks and his wife Jena, who share a two-year-old son, Crew, endured an extremely difficult year in 2025 following a miscarriage, something Jena recently spoke about openly on Instagram.

The five-time major champion had been acting as the captain of Smash GC.

Talor Gooch will now become the new captain of the team, which also comprises Graeme McDowell and Jason Kokrak.

It remains to be seen who will come in to replace Koepka on Smash GC for 2026. 

Sports Business Journal's Josh Carpenter was the first to break the story that Koepka could soon be on the way out at LIV Golf following a recent interview with the league's CEO Scott O'Neil, who replaced Greg Norman at the helm last season. 

Two weeks later, the news became official with Koepka calling time on a four-year spell with LIV Golf. 

Koepka still had one year left on his contract, which was reported to be in the region of $125m back in the summer of 2022. 

But the former World No.1 no longer wants to compete on LIV Golf and he has therefore made the decision to step aside. 

Whether Koepka returns to the PGA Tour in the near future remains to be seen, but he is currently ineligible to compete on the circuit as a result of no longer being a member.

Koepka will first need to reapply for PGA Tour membership, and then wait to learn what disciplinary action will be headed his way following his ties to LIV Golf since 2022. 

One-time PGA Tour winner Chamblee has already voiced his opinion on the subject, while jabbing LIV Golf in the process. 

Chamblee believes there will be a path back for Koepka, and others considering a similar move, although it likely won't be an easy one. 

"Time has elevated the PGA Tour for what it is, the most competitive, legitimate and profitable tour in the world," wrote Chamblee on X.

"Time has exposed the LIV tour for what it is, an ephemeral, flamboyant make-believe tour that can neither further the professional game nor the careers of the players who sacrificed their principles for profit in playing for the Saudi’s.

"My guess is those who have a path back will seek it with their hat in their hands, trying to hide the money in their pockets. 

"The PGA Tour should make it difficult but doable for these players for the betterment of the PGA Tour and to the detriment of the LIV Tour." 

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim, who recently pipped Koepka to the Open de France title on the DP World Tour, believes the former LIV Golf man will have less difficulty returning to the PGA Tour compared to others as a result of his superstar status. 

Harry Higgs, who lost his PGA Tour card this season, took a more tongue-in-cheek approach, posting: "Let’s put it to a vote. Every member like the Roman coliseum battles. I vote Yes he can come back and play."

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