The PGA Tour has made headlines this week by launching its Returning Member Program, allowing select players from LIV Golf to rejoin the Tour. In a significant development, Brooks Koepka announced that he has accepted the offer and will return to the PGA Tour this month. This decision marks a pivotal moment as the new PGA Tour season commenced with the Sony Open on January 12, 2024.
Under the new program, major champions or winners of the Players Championship since 2022 are eligible to return, albeit with certain penalties and conditions. This criteria narrows the list of potential returnees to just four players: Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, and Koepka. While Koepka has already committed, the remaining trio has until February 2, 2026, to make their decisions.
During recent press conferences for LIV Golf, Rahm, DeChambeau, and Smith expressed reluctance to consider returning to the PGA Tour. Despite their firm statements, the tone of their responses hinted at possible reconsiderations. The topic was discussed extensively on the GOLF’s Subpar podcast, where hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz weighed in on the implications of Koepka’s return.
Knost expressed optimism, stating, “I think at least one [of the remaining players] will flip and join the PGA Tour. That’s just my honest opinion.” He noted that discussions with Rahm indicated a focus on LIV Golf but acknowledged that the PGA Tour’s move could influence players’ decisions. Stoltz emphasized that the PGA Tour is essentially “forcing their hand” by setting a deadline for returns.
The return of Koepka represents a significant setback for LIV Golf, as they lose one of their most prominent figures. Stoltz remarked on the potential distraction this creates for the remaining LIV players, who will inevitably face questions about Koepka’s decision and their own future. Knost elaborated, indicating that Koepka’s return could have larger ramifications for LIV Golf, stating, “I think it just absolutely destroys them.”
While the PGA Tour celebrates this development, LIV Golf may respond aggressively. Knost speculated that the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which finances LIV Golf, might retaliate by increasing financial offers to retain their stars. He noted, “They could say, you are going to do this to us, OK fine, we are opening up our checkbook. Tell us the number to the top guys, whatever you want.”
The stakes are high as the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program continues to unfold. As Koepka prepares to rejoin the ranks of the PGA Tour, attention now turns to Rahm, DeChambeau, and Smith. Their decisions could reshape the landscape of professional golf in the coming months.
For more insights on the PGA Tour’s program and interviews with key figures, listeners can access the latest episode of the Subpar podcast, available on various platforms.
