HONOLULU (AP) — Brooks Koepka was allowed to return to the PGA Tour on Monday after four years on Saudi-funded LIV Golf, and his fellow players weighed in on the tour’s move.
Koepka is required to make a $5 million charity donation, does not have access to the Player Equity Program for five years and cannot get FedEx Cup bonus money in 2026. He also cannot receive sponsor exemptions to the signature events.
He makes his return Jan. 29 in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
Koepka
“There’s probably a mixed bag of, ‘We’re happy you’re back, welcome home’ to ‘You shouldn’t be here.’ I understand everybody’s point of view. I was going to be sitting out possibly a year, and I’m extremely thankful the tour gave me this opportunity.”
Billy Horschel
“I’m not shocked. I figured there would be a path back for these guys. … For PGA Tour players who hold some animosity, who want to see some skin, this hopefully gives them what they want. And at the same time, it shows (LIV) guys there’s a price you have to pay to come back.”
Gary Woodland
“I’m in a tough spot because I’m friends with Brooks. A lot of guys are friends with Brooks out here. A couple of years ago, there was a lot more hostility between the two tours. That’s gone down. I’m happy for Brooks. I’m happy for the tour that we’re finally getting to the point of moving past all this crap and getting back to golf.”
Brian Harman
“Like most guys, when you hear he’s coming back, your first instinct is to be upset. But I think the punishment is real. It’s not a free pass back into perfectly good graces. … Your main thing is, ‘Where’s the one-year suspension? Where’s the time served?’ I think that will be the hardest hurdle for PGA Tour players to get over. But $5 million is a lot.”
Jordan Spieth
“The punishment, no one knows exactly what it is until you see what happens with what the growth of equity becomes going forward. Could it end up being close to what he went to LIV for? Maybe. Probably not. But regardless, it’s substantial enough that if he were to play well, then it would still be a penalty.”
Brian Rolapp, CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises
“This is a one-time, defined window and is not a precedent for future situations. Once the door closes, there is no promise that this path will be available again.”
LIV Golf
“From the outset, LIV Golf has championed an open ecosystem and freedom, for all. Not just a limited few. One that supports players’ rights to compete across various platforms, reinforcing the belief that the growth of the game is best served when the game’s best players are empowered to seek the most competitive environments around the world.”
Brian Harman again
“In everything that happens, there’s isn’t all winners and all losers. There’s some good and bad. The positive is the tour with Brooks Koepka is a stronger tour. Regardless of how you feel about him leaving the PGA Tour, regardless of how you feel about LIV Golf, the PGA Tour is stronger today. I find it to be an OK compromise.”
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