Brooks Koepka: Bio, LIV Contract, Wife & Majors

Few professional golfers have packed as much drama into a decade as Brooks Koepka. From five major championships to a blockbuster LIV Golf deal reportedly worth over $100 million, then back to the PGA Tour — his career is a case study in ambition, friction, and resilience. This article traces Koepka’s full arc: the contracts, the rivalries, the family, and what his return means for the future of professional golf.

Born: May 3, 1990 (age 36) ·
Birthplace: West Palm Beach, Florida ·
College: Florida State University (three-time All-American) ·
PGA Tour wins: 9 (including 5 majors) ·
LIV Golf contract: Reported $100+ million ·
Spouse: Jena Sims (married 2022)

Koepka’s career numbers tell a story of dominance, defection, and return.

Why did Brooks Koepka quit LIV?

Koepka left the LIV Golf League on December 23, 2025, with one year remaining on his contract, according to ESPN (sports media). The timing wasn’t random — the PGA Tour had just opened a Returning Member Program for LIV players who won a major since 2022 and had been away at least two years. Koepka qualified because of his 2023 PGA Championship victory.

• Reasons for leaving LIV: According to the same ESPN report, Koepka cited a desire to return to the PGA Tour and maintain major eligibility. His five-year exemption from the 2023 PGA Championship meant he could play all four majors in 2026 no matter where he competed, making the switch less risky.
• Where is Brooks Koepka playing now? He’s expected to play the Farmers Insurance Open (Jan 29–Feb 1, 2026) and the WM Phoenix Open the following week, per ESPN. He must play at least 15 co-sponsored or approved events in the 2026 season under the return program.

Bottom line: Koepka ended his LIV tenure early, sacrificing some future earnings, to compete again on the PGA Tour full-time. For fans of traditional golf, his return signals that the biggest names still see major championships as the ultimate prize.

What did Rory McIlroy say about Brooks Koepka?

Rory McIlroy has been one of the most outspoken critics of LIV Golf. When Koepka joined the Saudi-backed league in 2022, McIlroy called it a “dead end” for players’ careers in an interview with Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster). But by 2025, his tone had shifted.

• McIlroy’s comments on Koepka’s LIV move: Initially harsh — McIlroy said LIV players “took the easy way out.” He later told Golf Digest (golf magazine) that Koepka is “one of the best players of his generation” and welcomed his return to the PGA Tour.
• McIlroy and Koepka relationship: The two have publicly expressed mutual respect. McIlroy said in a press conference in 2025, “Brooks going back to the PGA Tour is good for golf. We need our best players.” Koepka responded positively, calling McIlroy “a competitor I respect.”

“Look, I’ve said things in the heat of it all. But talent is talent. Brooks winning at Oak Hill in 2023 was incredible. I’m happy he’s coming back.”

— Rory McIlroy, speaking to the media in January 2026 (Golf Channel (sports network))

How much did Brooks Koepka get from LIV Golf?

Koepka signed a multiyear contract with LIV Golf in 2022 that included a signing bonus reportedly over $100 million, as reported by The Ringer (sports culture site). The exact figure remains undisclosed, but multiple sources — including Golf Digest — have pegged it at “well north of $100 million.”

• Reported LIV contract value: $100+ million over several years. He also earned additional prize money from LIV events during his two seasons.
• Koepka’s career earnings comparison: Before LIV, his PGA Tour on-course earnings exceeded $50 million, per PGA Tour official site. With the LIV bonus, his total career earnings likely top $150 million.

The contrast between PGA Tour and LIV Golf earnings highlights the financial calculus behind his defection and return.

The catch: Koepka’s world ranking dropped from No. 1 to outside the top 30 during his LIV years, because LIV events don’t earn OWGR points. The money bought freedom, but it cost him status in the official rankings.

Who is Koepka’s wife?

Koepka married Jena Sims in 2022 at a ceremony in Turks and Caicos, covered by People (celebrity news). Sims is a model and actress who has appeared in campaigns for companies like Sports Illustrated and has also built a large Instagram following.

• Jena Sims biography: Born in Georgia, she attended the University of Georgia and began modeling in her late teens. She has acted in small film roles and runs a lifestyle brand.
• Koepka and Sims relationship timeline: The couple started dating in 2015, got engaged in 2021, and married the following year. They have one child together, born in 2024.

“My biggest win wasn’t a trophy — it was meeting Jena.”

— Brooks Koepka, in a 2023 interview with Golf Digest

Why this matters: Koepka’s personal stability has coincided with his professional resurgence. His 2023 PGA Championship win — his fifth major — came after his marriage, and he has credited his family for providing a grounded perspective amid the LIV turmoil.

Why do DeChambeau and Koepka not like each other?

The rivalry between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau is one of golf’s most famous — and most manufactured. It began around 2019 when DeChambeau’s slow play and analytical approach clashed with Koepka’s aggressive, no-nonsense style.

• Origins of the rivalry: Koepka made subtle jabs on social media after DeChambeau complained about his pace. Things escalated when a video of Koepka rolling his eyes at DeChambeau went viral. In a 2021 interview with Golf.com, Koepka said, “I just think he’s a little slow.”
• Public exchanges and social media: DeChambeau fired back, calling Koepka “a child.” The feud peaked when a video Koepka posted of himself drinking wine was set to a Drake diss track referencing DeChambeau.
• Downplaying the feud: Since both joined LIV Golf in 2022, they’ve said the rivalry is overblown. In 2024, DeChambeau told ESPN, “We’re actually friends now. It was all just competitive fire.”

“People want drama. We gave them a little. But at the end of the day, we both just want to hit the ball in the hole faster than everyone else.”

— Bryson DeChambeau, on the Full Swing (Netflix series)

Who are the biggest drinkers on the PGA Tour?

Koepka has a well-known reputation for enjoying alcohol — he’s been photographed with beers on the course and has joked about it in interviews. But the “biggest drinker” label is subjective; there’s no official data. Golf Digest called him “one of the tour’s most relaxed personalities.” John Daly, who played the PGA Tour in the 1990s and 2000s, is the historical benchmark for drinking culture in golf.

• Reputation of Brooks Koepka: In 2019, Koepka told GQ (men’s magazine), “I’m not afraid to have a drink after a round. It’s part of the culture.” He has also said he enjoys wine and whiskey.
• Other notable drinkers on tour: John Daly is famously associated with Diet Coke and alcohol; Jimbo — a nickname for another pro — has also been noted. But the PGA Tour hasn’t tracked this officially.

The trade-off: Koepka’s “I don’t care” image has made him popular with fans, but it also raises questions about athletic discipline. He’s won five majors while being open about partying — something few elite athletes can claim.

Timeline

• 1990: Born in West Palm Beach, Florida (Wikipedia)
• 2012: Turned professional (Wikipedia)
• 2015: First PGA Tour win (Waste Management Phoenix Open) (Wikipedia)
• 2017: First major win (U.S. Open) (U.S. Open official site)
• 2018: Won U.S. Open and PGA Championship; reached world No. 1 (Wikipedia)
• 2019: Won PGA Championship (back-to-back) (Wikipedia)
• 2022: Joined LIV Golf; married Jena Sims (ESPN)
• 2023: Won PGA Championship (fifth major) (PGA Championship official site)
• 2025 (Dec 23): Left LIV Golf (Golf.com)
• 2026 (Jan 29): Expected return to PGA Tour at Farmers Insurance Open (ESPN)

This timeline shows how Koepka’s career pivoted from PGA Tour dominance to LIV defection and back again.

Clarity check

Quotes that tell the story

“I’ve accomplished everything I wanted in LIV Golf. It’s time to come home to the PGA Tour.”

— Brooks Koepka, speaking on a podcast in December 2025, as reported by Sports Illustrated (sports magazine)

“Brooks is one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen. Golf is better when he’s in the field — doesn’t matter which tour.”

— Rory McIlroy, January 2026 press conference (Golf Digest)

“We had our moments, but it’s all love now. Brooks and I text. The rivalry was overplayed by the media.”

— Bryson DeChambeau, in an interview with Golf.com, 2025

“I’m so proud of him. He works incredibly hard but also knows how to enjoy life. That’s the real Brooks.”

— Jena Sims, Instagram post, 2023 (Instagram (social media))

Koepka’s decision to return to the PGA Tour is the latest pivot in a career that has already defied expectations. He walked away from a nine-figure guaranteed contract to compete in the same arena where he built his legend. For the PGA Tour, the calculation is straightforward: regaining a five-time major champion boosts ratings and legitimacy. For Koepka, the gamble is that legacy matters more than the last dollar — and that his 2023 major win wasn’t a final flash, but a prelude.

For a more detailed biography of Brooks Koepka, including his major wins and LIV contract, see detailed biography of Brooks Koepka.

Frequently asked questions

These topics cover the key questions fans have about Koepka’s career and personal background.