Brooks Koepka being welcomed again to the PGA Tour will divide opinion inside the {golfing} world, however why has he been allowed to return after leaving LIV Golf and what does it imply for the game?
The PGA Tour introduced that Koepka had his PGA Tour membership reinstated underneath the brand new Returning Member Program, established forward of the 2026 season and simply weeks after the five-time main champion confirmed his departure from the LIV Golf League.
Koepka is now free to function on the PGA Tour and can make his comeback on the Farmers Insurance coverage Open from January 29-February 1, stay on Sky Sports activities, with the eligibility standards behind his return a novel and complicated state of affairs.
Why was Koepka banned within the first place?
Koepka final featured in an everyday PGA Tour occasion in March 2022 and has been ineligible to function since becoming a member of LIV Golf that July, with all PGA Tour members suspended instantly in the event that they performed on the Saudi-backed circuit.
Main winners Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed and Cameron Smith have been among the many others to make the change throughout LIV Golf’s inaugural season, together with Ryder Cup stalwarts Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
Koepka was nonetheless capable of play within the majors over the next three and a half years, with the American then saying his departure from LIV Golf – “amicably and mutually agreed” and with one yr reportedly left on his contract – in December 2025.
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Have a look again at one of the best of Brooks Koepka’s earlier 5 main victories
Why has Koepka been allowed again?
Koepka’s bid to have his PGA Tour membership reinstated led to the launch of the Returning Member Program, described as providing ‘a route again to elite performers who not have contractual limitations stopping them from complying with PGA Tour guidelines and laws’.
The change was made ‘to see one of the best gamers on the earth again on the PGA Tour’ and ‘to make the PGA Tour stronger’, with the brand new programme – and its standards – solely sanctioned after approval from a player-majority board.
Solely gamers who’ve been away from the PGA Tour for not less than two years and have gained The Gamers or a significant in the course of the previous 4 seasons are eligible for the programme, with Koepka one among simply 4 golfers who fall inside that class.
Who else might return underneath the brand new program?
DeChambeau, Smith and Jon Rahm are all energetic LIV Golf League gamers who could possibly be welcomed again to the PGA Tour underneath the identical ruling, though – as of January 12 – none of that trio have utilized for reinstatement of their membership.
Bryson DeChambeau final featured in an everyday PGA Tour occasion in 2022
The PGA Tour have made clear that’s the supply proper now and never a sign of what they could do sooner or later, with these three gamers having till February 2 – two days earlier than the beginning of the brand new LIV Golf season – ought to they want to be reinstated for the yr forward.
If a returning member refused the monetary penalties for being welcomed again, they might as a substitute face further disciplinary motion and a delay to being allowed to function in tournaments.
What punishment does Koepka face for returning?
The PGA Tour described the monetary penalties for returning members as ‘heavy, acceptable circumstances’, with Koepka required to make $5million (£3.7m) charitable donation as a part of his reinstatement.
Koepka shall be ineligible for the subsequent 5 years to earn fairness from the Participant Fairness Program, launched to reward gamers for his or her on-course efficiency and providing fairness grants in PGA Tour Enterprises – the for-profit entity that homes the tour’s business belongings.
He can even miss out on any funds from the FedExCup Bonus Program for the 2026 season, with the PGA Tour estimating that Koepka’s potential misplaced earnings might complete roughly $51-85m (£38-63m).
Which occasions can Koepka play in?
Koepka is exempt by means of till the top of the 2028 PGA Tour season, following his 2023 PGA Championship success, with the previous world No 1 now free to make a right away return to full-field PGA Tour occasions.
He’ll comply with his Farmers Insurance coverage Open return by enjoying the WM Phoenix Open every week later and also will seem at The Gamers – the PGA Tour’s Flagship Occasion – this March, though should qualify for the ‘Signature Occasions’ and be ineligible for sponsor’s exemptions in them.
Successful a PGA Tour occasion or breaking into the world’s prime 30 will get Koepka into the Signature Occasions, restricted subject tournaments providing elevated purses and FedExCup factors, as would qualifying through the Aon Subsequent 10 – the highest 10 gamers not already exempt from the FedExCup standings.
A Returning Member can nonetheless qualify for the season-ending FedExCup Playoffs, with Koepka additionally to capable of function for Workforce USA within the Presidents Cup this September and seem – ought to he want – within the TGL.
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Watch each match of the 2026 TGL season completely stay on Sky Sports activities, with Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods among the many stars in motion
How will this influence different gamers?
The PGA Tour made clear that enjoying alternatives for present members is not going to be decreased by the brand new ruling, with fields expanded – the place needed – to ‘guarantee equity’ for all concerned.
Their CEO Brian Rolapp insisted they are going to ‘proceed to aggressively pursue something that enhances the fan expertise and makes the PGA Tour stronger’, referring to their strategy as ‘acceptable for the distinctive circumstances’.
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Relive all of those that have gained on the PGA Tour throughout 2025, together with Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and extra!
Ought to every other participant depart LIV Golf and look to reinstate their membership, they’d face disciplinary motion for enjoying in ‘unauthorised occasions’ and face a prolonged delay – not publicly specified – earlier than they will take part in PGA Tour-affiliated tournaments.
What does this imply for skilled golf?
It stays unclear whether or not Koepka’s PGA Tour return might pave the best way for DeChambeau to comply with swimsuit, given the two-time US Open champion would fall underneath the identical ruling has but to verify whether or not he’ll signal a brand new contract extension with LIV Golf.
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Talking in November, Rory McIlroy described LIV Golf’s choice to increase its occasions to 72 holes as ‘peculiar’
LIV Golf have but to provide any vital signings – as of January 12 – forward of the brand new marketing campaign, with three-time DP World Tour winner Victor Perez and England’s Laurie Canter among the many additions thus far, with a number of PGA Tour gamers denying rumours about their reported departures in the course of the low season.
The Framework Settlement introduced in June 2023 to unify the boys’s sport has but to ship an answer that brings golf’s greatest excursions collectively. Who fills the vacant slots within the LIV Golf roster earlier than their season launches on February 4 might point out how gamers understand its long-term stature within the sport.
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