"It would kill LIV Golf if Brooks Koepka was allowed back on PGA Tour," says pro
"It sends a dire message" if Koepka wants to leave LIV Golf and return back to the PGA Tour.
DP World Tour pro Eddie Pepperell believes it would "send a dire message about LIV Golf" should Brooks Koepka want to leave them and head back to the PGA Tour.
Koepka is reportedly having "buyer's remorse" about his decision to join the Saudi-bankrolled circuit last June.
Alan Shipnuck has documented in The Fire Pit Collective that he's heard some whispers about the 32-year-old American having some regrets about having joined LIV Golf during its inaugural season.
Koepka had seemingly turned his nose away at LIV Golf when it was first laid on the table for him, especially after this emoji he sent in response to Bryson DeChambeau's apparent $100 million move.
But then it soon emerged he was about to accept a huge seven-figure sum to breakaway from the PGA Tour.
Shipnuck, who first broke news of those Phil Mickelson comments last year, penned the following in his latest column on February 15:
But despite such comments from renowned golf biographer Shipnuck, it's all complete BS according to the son of LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman.
Greg Norman Jr tweeted in response to the rumour: "No. Bs."
Tour pro Pepperell has since chimed in on the rumour.
In response to a golf fan's tweet suggesting Koepka will be "absolutely embraced" if he were to return to the PGA Tour, the Englishman tweeted Koepka would "effectively kill LIV if he was allowed back."
Don’t think he would.
But would effectively kill LIV if he was allowed back.
So would be fascinating to see.— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) February 16, 2023
Pepperell then added:
If (and I’m sure this is just rumour-ville s***) LIV’s biggest star (arguably), wanted to come back to play PGAT this soon, that sends a dire message about LIV. If the PGAT allowed him back, I’m sure it wouldn’t be long before others followed suit.. so LIV would be done, IMO.
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) February 16, 2023
"If (and I’m sure this is just rumour-ville shit) LIV’s biggest star (arguably), wanted to come back to play PGAT this soon, that sends a dire message about LIV.
"If the PGAT allowed him back, I’m sure it wouldn’t be long before others followed suit.. so LIV would be done, IMO."
On the same day as Shipnuck's shock story, Koepka's four-man Smash GC was finalised.
Former World No.1 Koepka, who captains the side once again as he did in 2022, will be joined by his brother Chase Koepka, Jason Kokrak and Matt Wolff.
LIV Golf confirmed yesterday that they had acquired the services of two PGA Tour players.
They've since raided another pro today.
Here's a full look at the LIV Golf League teams, players and captains ahead of the new season.
You can also check out the full LIV Golf League schedule, which gets underway next week in Mexico at a former PGA Tour venue.
The players on LIV Golf will be competing for a share of $405 million across the 14-tournament season.
Earlier this week, LIV Golf revealed its new fan-focused campaign with a video that sees a little girl asking Phil Mickelson why she should support his team in 2023.
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