Brooks Koepka is officially back on the PGA Tour. Last month, a bombshell report indicated that he was leaving LIV Golf. It was, at the time, unclear exactly what his plan was. It was also unclear how the Tour would react. He officially filed for reinstatement over the weekend, marking the first LIV person to actually attempt a return. Now, he’s slated to make his first start since defecting all those years ago.
Brooks Koepka set to make PGA Tour start
Brooks Koepka was one of the first major acquisitions by LIV Golf back in 2022. He signed on, and it was a big win for the rebel tour. The golfer was a four-time Major-winner still in his prime, so (with all due respect) a little more beneficial than Phil Mickelson was. He even went on to win the first Major as a member of LIV Golf at the 2023 PGA Championship.
Last year, rumors began to mount that Koepka was unhappy and wanted to return to the PGA Tour. Eventually, those rumors proved to be true. He’s the first major domino to fall in this battle that the PGA Tour has been steadily winning for years. Plans for a merger seem totally impossible now, and with members literally leaving and returning to the Tour, LIV may be on thin ice.
The Tour has essentially opened a new, short-term program to get Koepka back involved. Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith are the only players who can apply for this new program, and it’s very limited in time. Koepka, in his return, is under financial restrictions and was fined $5 million.
Tour statement
CEO Brian Rolapp, who took over for Jay Monahan last year, said in a statement via Sports Illustrated, “Other eligible players interested in seeking PGA Tour reinstatement must do so by the time the Returning Member Program closes on Monday, February 2. This is a one-time, defined window and does not set a precedent for future situations. Once the door closes, there is no promise that this path will be available again.”
The Tour, which includes Rolapp, has made it its mission to try and reunify golf by bringing all the best players in the world back together. That meant getting people like Koepka back to compete against the Scottie Schefflers and Rory McIlroys of the world. So far, only Koepka has returned, but others may follow suit if the going gets tough on LIV.
Can Brooks Koepka play in Signature Events?
Much of the PGA Tour’s schedule is made up of Signature Events. These are designed to feature the best of the best. They have limited spots in the field. They are pretty hard to get into, but what if Brooks Koepka, who is on such financial restrictions, qualifies?
He can play, but he won’t take a spot from someone else. If there are 50 spots, then Koepka would just make 51. There are two such events early on the schedule that he can’t play in right now unless he qualifies. His debut will be January 29 at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Brooks Koepka’s Statement
Brooks Koepka cited his family as a reason for stepping away from LIV Golf. Now, he’s echoing that sentiment as it pertains to his PGA Tour return.
“Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this opportunity especially meaningful to me,” Koepka revealed. “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 there are financial penalties associated with this decision, and I accept those.”
As for his financial penalties, the golfer will not be able to earn any bonus money at the first two playoff events in the summer. If he should qualify for the Tour Championship, part of the $40 million purse can be paid to him.
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