Brooks Koepka is officially returning to the PGA Tourand chances are he won’t be the only one returning from LIV Golf.
On Monday, the PGA Tour announced the creation of the Returning Member Program, which is a limited-time path back to the PGA Tour for select players who have called another tour home for at least the past two years. Koepka, who they parted ways with LIV Golf on Dec. 23, will use the new program to return to the PGA Tour as a full-time member this season. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp announced that the return path will be limited to players who meet an “elite performance-based criteria.” Players who have won either the Players Championship or another major between 2022 and 2025 are free to apply for reinstatement as returning members until February 2, 2026.
This means that the list of LIV players who are eligible to use the route, if they choose, is extremely limited.
Only Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith qualify for the Returning Member Program. Rahm won the 2023 Masters, while DeChambeau defeated Rory McIlroy at the 2024 US Open. Smith won both the Players Championship and the Open Championship in 2022 before moving to LIV Golf.
Other big names such as Joaquin Niemann, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson do not meet the program’s limited criteria.
In a memo to the PGA Tour membership, Rolapp noted that this route may not return after the Feb. 2 title.
“This is a one-time window and is not a precedent for future situations,” Rolapp wrote in the memo. “Once the door is closed, there is no promise that this route will be available again.”
As the PGA Tour cleared a path for Koepka to return and compete immediately, the five-time major champion will face a financial penalty on leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.
“His strict restrictions, which Brooks has agreed to, include a five-year loss of potential equity in the PGA Tour’s Player Equity Program, which represents one of the largest financial consequences in the history of professional sports, with estimates that he could lose approximately $55-90 million in potential earnings, depending on his competitive performance and player growth,” Koepka’s Return and Affiliate Program wrote to me. “At the request of the PGA Tour, Brooks has also agreed to make a charitable contribution of $5 million, the recipient(s) of which will be jointly determined.”
Koepka, who will play in the Farmers Insurance Open and the WM Phoenix Open, accepted the harsh punishment.
“When I was a kid, I always dreamed of competing on the PGA Tour, and I’m just as excited today to announce that I’m returning to the PGA Tour,” Koepka said in a statement. “Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this opportunity especially meaningful for 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 that there are financial penalties associated with this decision and I accept them.”
As for the “Big Three” who may also use the limited-time trail, it’s currently unknown if anyone is interested in following Koepka back to the PGA Tour.
DeChambeau, whose contract with LIV Golf ends after the 2026 season, said Koepka’s exit threw a twist in his negotiations to re-sign with the Saudi-backed league. Rahm and Smith have not openly discussed their contract situation.
In an interview for GOLF’s Podcast subpar Last week, Rahm told co-hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz that he “had an idea” Koepka would leave LIV and hopes they can share the course more in the future.
“I wish him the best; I’ve had some great times with Brooks on the golf course,” Rahm said. “Obviously the ’23 Masters (when they were in the final pair), we were in that playoff in ’24 at the Greenbrier, going to the Ryder Cup a couple of times. He’s always fun to play with, fast, honest guy. I wish him nothing but the best. Obviously I wish he stayed and I could continue to play with him or in other events hopefully.”
Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith now have the opportunity to follow Koepka back to the PGA Tour if they choose, but the clock is ticking.
