If you thought the LIV vs. PGA Tour drama had cooled off—think again. The next act in golf’s great soap opera is already heating up, and we haven’t even hit 2026 yet. Contracts are ticking down, rumors are swirling like Augusta winds, and the biggest names in golf are suddenly the biggest what-ifs in the sport.
Koepka Stuck on the Sidelines Until 2027
Let’s start with the elephant in the fairway—Brooks Koepka. The man who once strutted into majors like he owned them just wrapped up a dud of a season on LIV, finishing 31st in the individual standings. His best showing was a lone runner-up in Singapore. Not exactly the stuff of legends. So, is he eyeing a return to the PGA Tour? Sounds like it. But not so fast because Koepka’s hands are tied until at least 2027. Even if Koepka wanted to come back tomorrow, the PGA Tour’s door stays locked for another two seasons.
And Koepka’s not alone in this contractual limbo. Bryson DeChambeau, his deal’s up in 2026, too. Jon Rahm? He’s still riding the fumes of that 2023 Masters win, but hasn’t found the winner’s circle since. His name keeps popping up in the “return to Tour” conversations, too. Why? Because over on LIV, the hype’s fading faster than a cheap sun visor. The crowds are thinner. The TV numbers aren’t moving. Even the diehards are starting to notice.
PGA Tour Regains Its Swagger in 2025
While LIV wrestles with dwindling interest, the PGA Tour is hitting its stride. Scottie Scheffler is racking up wins—three and counting in 2025 alone—and even with Rory McIlroy stepping away after another tough major season, the PGA Tour has all the momentum. The broadcasts feel bigger, the courses look sharper, and the fans? They’re still locked in. It’s becoming clearer with every tournament: LIV may have lured away talent, but it didn’t take the magic with it.
Wagner didn’t hold back when asked, he dropped the hammer: “It doesn’t seem like they care that much about it over there.” He even pointed to Hudson Swafford’s situation—one of the first to make the jump, only to get relegated and slapped with a suspension by the PGA Tour. His best shot? Come back in 2027 and start fresh.
DeChambeau Still LIV’s Lone Star
But let’s not write off LIV just yet. DeChambeau still puts butts in seats—or at least eyeballs on screens—when he shows up. He cares about majors. He cares about the Ryder Cup. And that’s the point Wagner made loud and clear: LIV’s survival hinges on guys like Bryson proving they care about something other than cashing monster checks and swinging for YouTube clicks.
Meanwhile, on the PGA side, the energy’s back. The storylines are back. And whether it’s through comeback whispers or contract countdowns, LIV’s biggest names are inching back into the Tour conversation whether they like it or not.
So here’s where we land: LIV may not be dead, but it’s in need of a defibrillator. And 2026 could be the year we start to see the great migration back to the PGA. Just don’t expect the red carpet to roll out right away—2027’s the magic number. Until then, let the speculation fly.
