Brooks Koepka joins rebel Saudi tour with American next big name to defect from PGA Tour

Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka is the latest star name headed for the LIV Golf Invitational Series, according to The Telegraph. The odds of Koepka leaving for the new Saudi-backed league have been slashed after he removed ‘PGA Tour’ from his social channels.

Fans were recently sent into a frenzy when Koepka appeared to tease a move to the LIV Golf Series ahead of its inaugural event in Hertfordshire earlier in June. Those suspicions now appear well-placed as reports suggest an official announcement is imminent.

Koepka—who won back-to-back U.S. Opens in 2017-18 before repeating the feat in the PGA Championship (2018-19)—previously criticised Phil Mickelson for his ‘greed’ in joining the Saudi series. However, it now appears the Florida native has had a change of heart on the matter.

That may have something to do with seeing Charl Schwartzel scoop a record $4.75m (£3.9m) sum after winning both the individual and team events at the Centurion Club in St. Albans. The LIV Golf Invitational Series will run eight events in its first year, the first seven of which offer $25m (£20m) prize purses, followed by a $50m (£40m) purse in the season finale at Trump National Doral in Miami.

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