Brooks Koepka is confirmed to return to the PGA Tour after making a shock LIV Golf exit. The five-time major champion’s return is enabled by the American circuit’s latest Returning Member Program as confirmed in a memo sent to PGA Tour members Monday. Following this, LIV Golf League officials issued a statement reasserting its stance in the golf world.
Interestingly, the LIV Golf memo did not mention the outgoing player. Instead, the statement focused on its own agenda to ‘grow the game of golf globally.’ The circuit took a jibe at the PGA Tour’s ‘punishment’ for returning player by boasting its own “open ecosystem.” For the unversed, Koepka is set to make a $5 million charitable donation and is forfeiting potential equity in the tour’s Player Equity Program for five years to play on the PGA Tour again.
LIV Golf statement posted on X read:
“From the outset, LIV Golf has championed an open ecosystem and freedom, for all. Not just for a limited few. One that supports players’ rights to compete across various platforms, reinforcing the belief that the growth of the game is best served when the game’s best players are empowered to seek the most competitive environments around the world.
LIV Golf’s vision remains unchanged – to grow the game of golf globally – and as that vision gains momentum across the broader golf landscape, the capacity to deliver on it continues to strengthen by expanding pathways and opportunity beyond any single institution or interest. As the world’s golf league, LIV Golf continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging, and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness on a global scale.”
Brooks Koepka returns to PGA Tour
The PGA Tour on Monday announced the Returning Member Program to reinstate Koepka into the circuit. According to the ruling, any major winners since 2022 currently playing on LIV Golf can rejoin PGA Tour. According to reports, Koepka is making a charitable donation of $5 million and signed a five-year forfeiture of potential equity in the tour’s Player Equity Program as part of the negotiation.
According to the PGA Tour memo sent to its members on Monday, the 35-year-old is set to make his second PGA Tour debut at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California on January 29. He is also expected to be part of the WM Phoenix Open field at TPC Scottsdale in February.
Brooks Koepka said in a statement posted on X:
“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… 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.”
It is pertinent to note that the Returning Member Program allows LIV golfers who won the Players Championship or one of the four majors since 2022 can apply to rejoin the PGA Tour under certain conditions with penalties. Interestingly, Cam Smith, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau are all now eligible to rejoin the American circuit under this program.
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