Brooks Koepka has rejoined the PGA Tour after a five-week period with LIV Golf, returning through a newly established "Returning Member Program." His reinstatement comes with specific financial and competitive conditions, which the PGA Tour estimates could amount to tens of millions of dollars. The program, approved by the PGA Tour board, is designed as a one-time opportunity for a select group of players, and its terms have drawn varied reactions from within professional golf.
Koepka's Return and Scheduled Re-Entry
Brooks Koepka, a major championship winner, is set to resume his PGA Tour career at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines later this month. His return is facilitated by the PGA Tour's "Returning Member Program," a unique pathway for eligible players who previously departed for LIV Golf.
Terms of the Returning Member Program
The "Returning Member Program" is a one-time initiative, confirmed by Brian Rolapp, CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises, as not setting a precedent for future returns. Eligibility is restricted to players who have won a major championship or The Players Championship between 2022 and 2025. Koepka qualified under this criterion due to his PGA Championship victory in 2023.
Currently, this eligibility also extends to Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith, who have a three-week window to decide if they wish to return under the program's terms. Notably, other LIV players such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, and Patrick Reed are not eligible for this program.
Reinstatement Conditions for Koepka
Koepka's return to the PGA Tour is subject to several conditions:
- Financial Penalties: He will be ineligible for PGA Tour equity grants for five years. PGA Tour officials estimate that the financial repercussions, including the loss of access to equity and FedEx Cup bonus money, could total between $50 million and $85 million. Koepka described the financial penalties as substantial, stating they were "meant to hurt."
- Charitable Contribution: A required $5 million donation to a charity, to be jointly decided with the PGA Tour.
- FedEx Cup Bonus Ineligibility: He will not receive FedEx Cup bonus money in 2026.
- Signature Events: He must qualify for signature events and will not receive automatic entry.
Koepka acknowledged that his previous departure "hurt a lot of people."
PGA Tour Board Approval and Rationale
The PGA Tour board, which includes a player majority led by Tiger Woods, approved the "Returning Member Program." Brian Rolapp characterized Koepka's situation as "unique." The tour's stated objectives for this solution include strengthening the PGA Tour, preserving opportunities for current members, and addressing fan interest in seeing top players compete together. The tour views this as a definitive, time-limited opportunity for a select group of players.
Player Perspectives
Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open winner and a PGA Tour player, expressed concerns regarding the program. Clark stated that he would have met the criteria for the Returning Member Program had he accepted an offer to join LIV Golf. He commented on the situation, suggesting that players might consider a similar path if they believed they could secure significant earnings with LIV Golf and then return to the PGA Tour.