Brooks Koepka has become the latest PGA Tour star to make the move to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, according to the Telegraph . Koepka had previously hit out at fellow rebel Phil Mickelson amid his links to the controversial breakaway circuit.
However, it seems the four-time major winner has had a change of heart, and has reportedly followed Mickelson in signing a mega-money deal to join the tour led by former world No. 1 Greg Norman. As well as Mickelson, Koepka follows in the footsteps of Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and old foe Bryson DeChambeau.
The inaugural event on the Series kicked off in St Albans earlier this month, with South African - and former Masters - winner Charl Schwartzel the man to come away with the £3.3 million prize after finishing on top of the leaderboard across the three-day event.
According to the report, the American star has 'been in talks' with LIV Golf 'for months', and announcement on his move is expected this week. His Ryder Cup teammate Johnson recently signed with the Saudi-backed series for a £120 million up front free, and it believed Koepka will receive something similar.
The signing of the 32-year-old may be one of the most surprising yet, with Koepka previously slamming Mickelson for his pro-LIV Golf stance. His criticism came after Mickelson accused the PGA Tour of 'obnoxious greed', as the 52-year-old pushed for his Saudi switch.
Among others, Koepka was quick to shoot the former PGA Champion down for his comments, insinuating a feel of irony on Mickelson's part when it came to using the word 'greed'. Responding to the release of Lefty's claims on Instagram, the 2019 US Open champion wrote: "[Don’t know] if I’d be using the word greedy if I’m Phil …”
With Koepka reportedly set to follow suit and make the switch, he will also meet the same fate as Mickelson and co in being suspended from the PGA Tour. Just moments after the inaugural LIV event began this month, Tour boss Jay Monahan confirmed in a memo that all those competing with be receiving bans from the American-based circuit.
Per Golfweek, The memo read: "We have followed the Tournament Regulations from start to finish in responding to those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour by willfully violating a regulation.
"Simultaneous to you receiving this memo, the players are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup. This also applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA Tour: the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamérica.”
