Prominent figures within the PGA Tour are expressing their opinions subsequent to Brooks Koepka’s reinstatement into the tour, after having spent four years participating in LIV Golf. His reintegration, facilitated by the recently established Returning Member Program, conceived by PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and aided by player representatives including Tiger Woods, has elicited a range of sentiments from his fellow competitors, with whom he is scheduled to compete in 2026.
“Perspectives diverge,” Woods stated. “It’s understood that universal approval is unattainable. However, the overarching objective is to elevate our tour beyond its previous state. Koepka’s inclusion fundamentally improves the playing environment of the Tour. Given that players possess equity, with an additional four years of potential equity accumulation, his involvement means increased earnings for them, as they effectively own the Tour. This outcome is advantageous for all.”
Other elite PGA Tour professionals, including Ben Griffin, Max Homa, Jordan Spieth, and Collin Morikawa, have likewise voiced their endorsement of the choice. Competing on the DP World Tour in Dubai this week, Rory McIlroy reiterated these feelings, concurrently articulating his comprehensive opinion on LIV Golf.
“It’s excellent because it restores Brooks to his rightful position,” McIlroy communicated to The Telegraph. “He ranks among the finest golfers globally, and in my estimation, any development that fortifies the established tours is commendable.”
Koepka’s exit from LIV Golf occurred towards the conclusion of an off-season marked by the league’s widespread failures in its recruitment drives. Si Woo Kim, Sungjae Im, Min Woo Lee, and Akshay Bhatia reportedly all declined offers from LIV Golf; the league, in turn, secured Byeong Hun An, Thomas Detry, and Elvis Smylie, seemingly shifting its strategy towards nation-centric teams. An is slated to captain an entirely Korean team, previously named Iron Heads GC, which has since adopted the new identity of the Korean Golf Club.
Despite their eligibility for the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith have pledged their participation with LIV Golf for 2026, yet the long-term outlook remains uncertain. DeChambeau is currently engaged in intense discussions, firmly declining to commit beyond 2026 and describing the prospect of competing exclusively on YouTube and in major tournaments as “a realistic alternative.”
“They haven’t really secured any prominent new talents this year, have they?” McIlroy commented regarding LIV Golf’s recruitment efforts. “No one they’ve brought in is a game-changer, and I doubt they will acquire anyone who is. Even if they were to re-engage Bryson with an enormous contract worth hundreds of millions, it wouldn’t fundamentally transform their offering, would it? They would merely be investing in an identical proposition.”
Both McIlroy and Woods, alongside Wyndham Clark, were presented with extraordinarily lucrative compensation packages by LIV Golf at different junctures. The past U.S. Open winner had previously criticized LIV Golf, specifically pointing out the league’s 54-hole tournament structure.
Nonetheless, given Koepka’s comparatively seamless pathway back, Clark now contemplates whether he too should have defected.
“I genuinely hold a high regard for Brooks, and I believe his return is ultimately highly beneficial for the PGA Tour,” Clark shared during an interview on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. “Yet, as someone who had the option to join LIV, it’s somewhat vexing that he appears to have the best of both worlds. Had I been informed that I could participate for eighteen months, accumulate a significant fortune, and then be permitted to rejoin and compete on the Tour, I suspect nearly everyone would have taken that opportunity.”
“Ultimately, my desire is for what serves the PGA Tour’s best interests, and I am convinced that if players return, particularly leading talents such as Brooks, it will only benefit the Tour, which in turn will eventually benefit me,” he added.
A critical aspect of the Returning Member Program stipulates that Koepka’s inclusion in PGA Tour competitions will not result in the exclusion of any other participant; consequently, the five-time major victor will be appended to event rosters as an additional competitor. He is obligated to participate in fifteen tournaments and earn qualification for designated events, simultaneously being barred from receiving sponsor exemptions in those specific tournaments, all while progressively re-establishing his position.
“That particular point represented a primary apprehension and a significant requirement insisted upon by myself and the fellow player directors,” Woods affirmed. “His presence is supplementary. … I anticipate the alternate list will see a positive effect, potentially gaining entry into an additional event or two. Furthermore, we regain a player who is arguably among the top three of his era, who transitioned to another tour, competed there, and then was resolute in his desire to rejoin us, leaving his previous engagement prematurely to do so.
“This speaks volumes about the trajectory of the PGA Tour, our past efforts, our achievements, and the steadfast commitment of the players who remained loyal and backed the Tour. The return of another globally renowned player, against whom these competitors will strive for victory, aligns precisely with the desires expressed by the fanbase.”
