Brooks Koepka has announced his return to the PGA Tour.
The five-time major champion made this known on Monday, just weeks after he ended his association with LIV Golf, where he spent four seasons in the Saudi-backed league.
“I want to thank my family and team for their continuous support throughout every step of my professional journey. As a child, I dreamed of playing on the @PGATOUR, and today, I’m really excited to share my return,” Koepka expressed in a social media statement.
“This chance means a lot to me because it allows me to be closer to home and spend more quality time with my family.”
Koepka, who has a 2-year-old son with his wife, Jenna Sims, filed to rejoin the PGA Tour after his stint with LIV, where he served as captain of Smash GC.
He also agreed to adhere to the program’s “strict restrictions,” which include a five-year forfeiture of potential equity in the PGA Tour’s Player Equity Program, along with a $5 million charitable donation. The PGA has estimated the potential loss from exclusion in the equity program to range between $50 million and $85 million.
“Brooks is focusing on his family’s needs and staying close to home,” said LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill in a farewell message.
The two-time U.S. Open champion will be rejoining the circuit through a newly established returning member program, outlined in a memo from the PGA Tour’s new CEO, Brian Rolup.
The Returning Member Program aims to provide a way back to PGA Tour competition for former members who reached great heights in the game, yet mandates strict limits on tournament access and possible earnings. The message stated, “We believe this appropriately holds returning members accountable for the significant compensation earned previously.”
This program also includes a performance-based standard, which entails winning one of several prestigious tournaments between 2022 and 2025.
Koepka meets this requirement after winning the 2023 PGA Championship.
“I believe in the direction the PGA Tour is heading with new leadership, new investors, and an equity program that offers players real ownership,” Koepka noted on Monday. “We also recognize and accept the financial penalties that come with this decision.”
Initially, the PGA Tour suspended players who participated in LIV, including the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson, who took hefty contracts with rival circuits.
Current LIV golfers like DeChambeau (2024 U.S. Open champion), Jon Rahm (2023 Masters champion), and Cam Smith (2022 British Open champion) may aim to return to the PGA Tour under the new program, which concludes on February 2nd.
Koepka wrapped up his announcement with a timeline for his return.
“I can’t wait to see everyone at the Farmers Insurance Open and the WM Phoenix Open,” he said.
The Farmers Insurance Open is set to start on January 29th, followed by the WM Phoenix Open on February 5th.
