LIV Golf confirmed Brooks Koepka’s exit from the Saudi-backed series on Tuesday. The 35-year-old and the circuit released statements affirming the player’s decision to leave after four years of collaboration. Owing to the move, the Smash GC skipper role was immediately taken over by Talor Gooch.
The 2023 LIV Golf Individual champion released a statement thanking his outgoing captain. Gooch wished Koepka well before revealing his takeover of the team captaincy role for the 2026 season. He further admitted being “excited” for the new leadership challenge and stated he is ‘eager to build on the competitive standard Brooks established’ in the squad.
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For the unversed, Koepka-led squad finished fourth in the 2025 season-long team championship standings. The side managed three podium finishes in Korea, Virginia and Andalucia, without a win.
Confirming his takeover as captain, Talor Gooch wrote on X:
“I want to start by thanking Brooks Koepka. He is one of the greatest competitors in the game and I have learned so much from him while being his teammate on Smash GC. He’s a friend and teammate, and I have great respect for his decision. I wish him, Jena, and their family all the best.
Looking ahead, I am incredibly honored and excited to officially take on the Captaincy role for the 2026 season. I’m excited and ready to embrace this new leadership and career challenge. I’m eager to build on the competitive standard Brooks established and work with our players to lead this team into this next successful chapter.”
LIV Golf CEO applauds Talor Gooch’s new role
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil issued a statement on Tuesday backing Brooks Koepka’s decision to part ways with the series. The circuit chief dubbed the decision ‘amicable’ and claimed it was ‘mutual.’ He further reiterated the move was based on the player’s decision to “prioritize the needs of his family and staying closer to home” with latter’s wife Jena Sims and two-year-old son Crews.
Following this, O’Neil went on to confirm Talor Gooch’s new role as the Smash GC captain. He dubbed the 34-year-old a “world-class talent” ready for this leadership role while announcing the team skipper. He further called the former PGA Tour winner the “ideal player” to lead the Smash side.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said in a statement:
“Looking forward, Talor Gooch will take over as Captain of Smash GC for the 2026 season. Talor is a world-class talent ready for this leadership role. His performance, including numerous individual victories and the 2023 LIV Golf Individual Championship, exemplifies the competitive excellence we champion. Talor’s proven track record as a golfer and his business acumen makes him the ideal player to lead Smash GC into the future.”
The LIV CEO went on to state that the moment ‘reinforces the healthier, more flexible global golf ecosystem’ that the Saudi-backed circuit is trying to create. He emphasized the league’s ‘support’ to ‘players’ rights’ with the action.
Edited by Vishnu Mohan
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