Brooks Koepka is making a swift return to the PGA Tour, thanks to the newly established Returning Member Program which offers him and other top golfers the chance to rejoin. Koepka revealed his decision to leave LIV Golf on December 23, a year ahead of the end of his contract with the Saudi Arabian golf league. His application to rejoin the PGA Tour was met with mixed responses, but it has now been confirmed.
Despite his reinstatement, Koepka will be obliged to donate $5million to a charity, as agreed with the PGA Tour. Furthermore, he won’t be eligible for equity or FedEx Cup bonus money this year, potentially missing out on up to $50m in earnings. However, Koepka’s comeback could trigger a similar trend among other elite players. When Koepka sought to regain his PGA Tour membership, there were concerns that he might be treated differently from other former stars due to his high profile. Yet, the new program allows three other LIV Golf stars to follow Koepka’s lead.
Interestingly, Koepka was one of the first big-name players to depart the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, and now he’s the first to return. The PGA Tour announced on Monday that players who meet certain performance-based criteria would be eligible for an alternative route back.
The PGA Tour states that players are eligible to return if: “They have participated in Unauthorized Tournaments, have not been a member for a minimum of two years and have won THE PLAYERS, Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship and/or The Open Championship in the years 2022-2025.”
The PGA Tour responded to fan demand for more frequent competition amongst the world’s elite golfers, though they must accept the financial implications. Those wanting to compete on the PGA Tour in 2026 must submit their applications by Feb. 2.
As the 2023 PGA Championship victor, Koepka qualified. But Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith are also in a position to rejoin the PGA Tour.
Smith secured both The Players Championship and The Open Championship in 2022, giving him the credentials to return and pursue a route comparable to Koepka’s. DeChambeau similarly has the option to come back after clinching the U.S. Open title in 2024, defeating Rory McIlroy.
Rahm’s 2023 Masters triumph means he too qualifies, despite having only recently joined LIV Golf in December 2023. Rahm represented one of the latest significant transfers, whilst DeChambeau confirmed his return to LIV Golf for 2026.
Nevertheless, DeChambeau hasn’t yet confirmed an extension, leaving his future uncertain. Whether others will follow Koepka’s lead remains unclear, but the 35 year old is thrilled to be back and will feature at the Farmers Insurance Open later this month.
“I want to thank my family and my team for their continued support throughout every step of my professional career. When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the @PGATOUR, and I am just as excited today to announce that I am returning to the PGA TOUR,” Koepka penned on X.
“Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this opportunity especially meaningful to me. I believe in where the PGA TOUR is headed with new leadership, new investors, and an equity program that gives players a meaningful ownership stake.
“I also understand there are financial penalties associated with this decision, and I accept those. Finally, I want to thank the fans. Your support means more to me today than ever before, and I look forward to seeing you soon at the Farmers Insurance Open and WM Phoenix Open.”
