Brooks Koepka is set to make his second PGA Tour debut at The Farmers Insurance Open. The 35-year-old confirmed his comeback to the American circuit via the Returning Member Program on Monday. Following this, Tiger Woods has admitted to being part of the negotiations that facilitated the big move.
Woods, still recovering from a back surgery, dropped the bombshell about his pivotal role in bringing back his former rival. According to the 15-time major champion, the Tour and Koepka’s boards worked through Christmas to complete the return. The 50-year-old veteran went on to dub the former LIV star a “probably top-3-of-his-generation player” and called the latest move a “win for everybody.”
It is pertinent to note that Woods had earlier openly slammed LIV Golf and its players. However, he recently took over the leadership of the nine-member Future Competition Committee, which helps PGA Tour in decision making.
Speaking about Koepka’s return during a TGL match on Tuesday, Tiger Woods said, as quoted by Golf:
“It’s incredible for the tour and for the fans who want to see the best play against the best. We worked through Christmas with both boards to make sure this is right… We get a probably top-3-of-his-generation player back that went to another tour, played over there, and was adamant about coming back here and got out early to come back.
That says a lot about the PGA Tour, where we’re headed, what we have done, what we accomplished and the players who have stayed and who have supported the Tour. It’s a win for everybody.”
Tiger Woods on Brooks Koepka’s punishments
For the unversed, Brooks Koepka is returning to the PGA Tour after over three years on LIV Golf. The Jupiter-resident had jumped ships to the breakaway tour for a reported five-year $125 million deal. The Smash GC captain has now opted against re-signing with the circuit and accepted a $5 million penalty to come back to the American tour.
Apart from the financial punishment, the 35-year-old also signed a five-year forfeiture of potential equity in the tour’s Player Equity Program and will not be eligible for any FedEx Cup Bonus Program payment for 2026. It is pertinent to note that Tiger Woods is part of the boards that determined penalties for the returning player.
Adressing the same, the golfing legend said the officials have been “rolling through scenarios for a very long time” before finalizing on some. However, Woods seemed excited to have the five-time major champion back on the circuit.
Tiger Woods added:
“Having another world-class player that these guys are going to try and beat, that’s what the fans demanded. That’s what the fans wanted for our fan initiative program, and I think we’ve addressed that… We’re not going to satisfy every player. This plan was created for a very select few players that met the criteria.”
According to the newly created Returning Member Program criteria, any player who has won The Players or a major championship during the 2022-2025 seasons is eligible to re-join the PGA Tour from LIV Golf. The list extends to names like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith.
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