LIV Golf confirmed Brooks Koepka’s exit from the Saudi-backed collection on Tuesday. The 35-year-old and the circuit launched statements affirming the participant’s choice to go away after 4 years of collaboration. Owing to the transfer, the Smash GC skipper position was instantly taken over by Talor Gooch.
The 2023 LIV Golf Particular person champion launched an announcement thanking his outgoing captain. Gooch wished Koepka effectively earlier than revealing his takeover of the workforce captaincy position for the 2026 season. He additional admitted being “excited” for the brand new management problem and acknowledged he’s ‘keen to construct on the aggressive normal Brooks established’ within the squad.
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For the unversed, Koepka-led squad completed fourth within the 2025 season-long workforce championship standings. The aspect managed three podium finishes in Korea, Virginia and Andalucia, with out a win.
Confirming his takeover as captain, Talor Gooch wrote on X:
“I need to begin by thanking Brooks Koepka. He is without doubt one of the best opponents within the recreation and I’ve realized a lot from him whereas being his teammate on Smash GC. He is a good friend and teammate, and I’ve nice respect for his choice. I want him, Jena, and their household all the perfect.
Wanting forward, I’m extremely honored and excited to formally tackle the Captaincy position for the 2026 season. I am excited and able to embrace this new management and profession problem. I am keen to construct on the aggressive normal Brooks established and work with our gamers to steer this workforce into this subsequent profitable chapter.”
LIV Golf CEO applauds Talor Gooch’s new position
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil issued an announcement on Tuesday backing Brooks Koepka’s choice to half methods with the collection. The circuit chief dubbed the choice ‘amicable’ and claimed it was ‘mutual.’ He additional reiterated the transfer was based mostly on the participant’s choice to “prioritize the wants of his household and staying nearer to house” with latter’s spouse Jena Sims and two-year-old son Crews.
Following this, O’Neil went on to substantiate Talor Gooch’s new position because the Smash GC captain. He dubbed the 34-year-old a “world-class expertise” prepared for this management position whereas saying the workforce skipper. He additional referred to as the previous PGA Tour winner the “splendid participant” to steer the Smash aspect.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil mentioned in an announcement:
“Wanting ahead, Talor Gooch will take over as Captain of Smash GC for the 2026 season. Talor is a world-class expertise prepared for this management position. His efficiency, together with quite a few particular person victories and the 2023 LIV Golf Particular person Championship, exemplifies the aggressive excellence we champion. Talor’s confirmed observe report as a golfer and his enterprise acumen makes him the perfect participant to steer Smash GC into the longer term.”
The LIV CEO went on to state that the second ‘reinforces the more healthy, extra versatile world golf ecosystem’ that the Saudi-backed circuit is making an attempt to create. He emphasised the league’s ‘help’ to ‘gamers’ rights’ with the motion.
Edited by Vishnu Mohan