Multiple PGA Tour winner gives opinion on potential Brooks Koepka punishment

Billy Horschel says he has been "on the fence" for a little while over whether Brooks Koepka should be allowed to return to the PGA Tour. 

Five-time major champion Koepka, 36, announced on 23 December that he won't participate in LIV's fourth full season, despite having one year remaining on his contract.

Speculation is mounting over what Koepka's next steps will be and what punishment, if any, the American should receive if he reapplies for PGA Tour membership.

Horschel was once one of the breakaway tour's most vocal critics, memorably tearing into several "hypocritical" LIV players prior to the 2022 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

But the 39-year-old has told the Palm Beach Post that his position has shifted somewhat, given members of the PGA Tour now have equity.

"I'm on a seesaw here a little bit," said Horschel. "I've been on one for a little while."

"At the very beginning, I think I was on the side of there needs to be some punishment for these guys.

"And now I'm on the side that I think for the betterment of the game, for the quality of the PGA Tour product to continue to grow.

"Selfishly having an equity stake in the PGA Tour now, bringing Brooks back, that does add value.

"So I think there needs to be a process to figure out what [brings] these guys come back."

Horschel added: "Do I think they need to be suspended for a year or something like that? I don't know. I'm not involved in those discussions.

"But I think there's a punishment that can be put in place that isn't too harsh, but for the guys on the PGA Tour that still feel hurt or affected ... for those guys that want to see some punishment, then I think there's some punishment that can be worked up that isn't too bad for the guys coming back."

Xander Schauffele offered a diplomatic response, telling the paper that golfers' answers on the subject will vary depending on their ranking and where they are in their careers.

Pressed on whether Koepka should receive some penalty, Schauffele said: "I'm not sure. It depends what lens you look through.

"If you're looking at the game as a whole. It's going to be hard to make everybody happy, I can answer that.

"So do we need everyone to come back together? Absolutely."

LIV Golf announced on 23 December that Koepka won't be back for the 2026 campaign. 

The decision was described as "mutual" so as to allow Koepka to "prioritise the needs of his family". 

Koepka's season was perhaps the worst of his career, with the golfer missing cuts in three of the four major championships and failing to secure a victory on LIV. 

He told of how he was unpleasant to be around and was even read the riot act by his golf coach Peter Cowen before the Masters.

In October, Koepka's wife Jena Sims announced on Instagram that he sadly suffered a miscarriage. 

Florida-born Keopka turned professional in 2012 and won nine PGA Tour titles, including four majors, before he decamped to LIV Golf. 

In 2023, he became the first LIV Golf player to capture a major at the PGA Championship. 

The PGA Tour reacted to Koepka's decision to walk away from LIV by wishing the golfer and his family well, before adding they they "continue to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness".

The Tour has suspended players who competed in LIV Golf events after categorising them as unauthorised. 

Non-members have been subject to a year ban following their previous LIV event.

Koepka will also be eligible to join the DP World Tour and have exemptions to compete in golf's four major championships.