Brooks Koepka’s decision to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour has dominated the discourse in golf’s civil war this week. So much so that news of the Tour’s Koepka coup obscured the fact that two Tour players defected to LIV Golf shortly thereafter.
Veteran PGA Tour pros Byeong Hun An and Thomas Detry both joined LIV Golf this week, while one of LIV’s biggest stars signed a new contract to stay on the league for years to come.
Here’s what you need to know.
Earlier in the week, LIV confirmed that Detry would be making the move for 2026. Detry had a breakout season last year, capturing his first PGA Tour victory at the WM Phoenix Open.
Detry eventually finished 44th in the final FedEx Cup standings. He is currently ranked 58th in the Official World Golf Ranking as he makes the move to LIV.
Then on Wednesday, we learned An would also make the jump to LIV Golf in 2026.
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Though An never won a PGA Tour event, the 34-year-old veteran collected five runner-up finishes over a lengthy Tour career in which he earned over $21.5 million on the course. An first broke through on the international stage with his win at the 2009 U.S. Amateur when he was just 17 years old.
In a statement on social media Wednesday, An said he was “grateful” for being able to “fulfill the dreams I’ve had since childhood” during his PGA Tour career.
But he also revealed that with the 2025 PGA Tour season in the rearview, he would now be embarking on a “new chapter and a fresh challenge” with LIV Golf.
An will take over as captain of the newly rebranded Korean Golf Club, replacing Kevin Na, who is leaving LIV.
In a separate statement as part of a LIV Golf press release announcing the news, An was quoted saying, “Joining LIV Golf is a defining move for my future. LIV Golf is becoming a leading force in the game and a truly global golf league with a clear vision for the future. I see a great opportunity to grow my career as captain of Korean Golf Club.”
You can read An’s full social media statement below.
Over the past decade on the PGA Tour, I have been able to fulfill the dreams I’ve held since childhood. I am truly grateful for every moment I’ve spent on the field and for all the incredible support I’ve received along the way.
However, following the conclusion of the 2025 season, I felt it was time for a new chapter and a fresh challenge in my life. As such, I have decided to continue my professional career with LIV Golf, taking on the role of Captain for Korean Golf Club.
I have always been passionate about supporting junior golfers and the next generation of players. While this is just the beginning, I want to help these athletes realize their dreams on the world stage. Leading the Koren Golf Club is the perfect opportunity to achieve that goal.
I am incredibly excited about this new role and the journey ahead. I kindly ask for your continued support and interest as I take on this new challenge. With sincere gratitutde – Ben An
While it’s hard to argue the additions of An and Detry make up for the loss of Koepka, owner of five major titles, a different multiple major-winning star chose to stick with LIV Golf for years to come.
Dustin Johnson, the two-time major winner, signed a new multi-year contract with LIV this week. Johnson was one of the first big stars to leave the PGA Tour for LIV in 2022.
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Johnson will continue to captain the 4Aces team, and Detry will play alongside him.
“This team is built for big moments, and 2026 is a chance for us to take another step forward. Thomas Detry is a great addition; he’s confident, competitive, and that fits exactly what we’re about. We’ve got the talent, the chemistry and the mindset to be right there all season,” Johnson said in a press release announcing his new contract.
Because he did not win a major between 2022-2025 (his last came at the 2020 Masters), Johnson is not eligible for the PGA Tour’s Returning Player Program, which provided Koepka with an accelerated pathway back to the Tour.
Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith are eligible for the Returning Player Program, but all three players have committed to playing on LIV this year.
The post ‘Defining move for my future’: 2 PGA Tour pros join LIV Golf, big star re-signs appeared first on Golf.
