Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka will be back on the PGA Tour sooner than expected after a Returning Member Program was revealed Monday.
Koepka announced last month he would part ways with LIV Golf despite a year remaining on his contract with the Saudi-backed league. It was originally believed that LIV members would have to sit out a full year from their last event before returning to the PGA Tour.
In “an open letter” from PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp on Monday, standards for immediate reinstatement were revealed that not only impact Koepka, it could also provide a path for three other LIV members to return: Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith.
Koepka confirmed the news in a social media post, sharing he plans to return to the PGA Tour for the Farmers Insurance Open at La Jolla, Calif., from Jan. 29-Feb. 1. He is also expected to play one week later in the WM Phoenix Open at Scottsdale, Ariz.
“When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the PGA Tour, and I am just as excited today to announce that I am returning to the PGA Tour,” Koepka said on social media Monday. “Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this opportunity especially meaningful to me.”
Koepka referenced an equity program in the PGA Tour “that gives players a meaningful ownership stake.” But Koepka’s participation in that equity program would appear to be on hold.
Rolapp revealed penalties in the Returning Member Program that mandate “heavy and appropriate limitations to both tournament access and potential earning that we believe properly holds returning members accountable for substantial compensation earned elsewhere.”
According to the PGA Tour, Koepka agreed to a five-year forfeiture of participation in the player equity program that Rolapp said could amount to a $50-85 million penalty. Koepka has also agreed to make a $5 million charity donation.
Only players who have won a Players Championship, Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open or Open Championship between 2022-25 are eligible to return under the program announced Monday. DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith are the only other former PGA Tour members that fit that criteria.
The current Returning Member Program will remain open through Feb. 2. The PGA Tour said there are no guarantees that a similar program will be offered in the future.
“We will continue to aggressively pursue anything that enhances the fan experience and makes the PGA Tour stronger,” Rolapp said. “This is part of our commitment to fans, who expect the world’s best players to compete on the PGA Tour week in and week out.”
–Field Level Media
