PGA Tour confirm Brooks Koepka will return after LIV Golf exit

The PGA Tour have confirmed Brooks Koepka will return to the North American circuit later this month under a new rule. 

Five-time major champion Koepka, 36, quit the established tour four years ago to join LIV Golf for a reported $100m. 

He won five individual titles with LIV, as well as the 2023 PGA Championship, but made the sensational decision to quit the league in December. 

The decision, described as "amicable" by LIV's chief executive, was all the more surprising given he still had 12 months remaining on his contract. 

There was speculation that Koepka would have to serve a suspension before returning, potentially playing on the DP World Tour this season alongside the four men's majors. 

It was also unknown what, if any, financial punishments would be handed out to Koepka. 

But in a sensational development, Koepka will tee up on the PGA Tour later this month. 

The move back will cost him, though, as he will not be eligible to earn equity from the Tour's equity program for five years. 

Nor will he able collect FedEx Cup bonus money this year.

And he is also unable to accept sponsor exemptions to get into the fields for the eight signature events. 

The PGA Tour said Koepka is welcome for entirety of the regular season and will tee up on 29 January. 

Koepka is in the field for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. And he will also play the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. 

PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp confirmed the news on Monday evening, explaining Koepka is allowed to return after the creation of the "returning member program". 

Said program stipulates that only players who have been away from the PGA Tour for two years and have won one of the four majors or the Players Championship are eligible. 

That leaves the door ajar for the likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau or even Cameron Smith. 

However, the program expires on 2 February, two days before LIV's season begins. 

The PGA Tour also said the program "is not necessarily an indication of what the PGA Tour will do in the future for this or any other situation, but is instead a response to a unique set of circumstances". 

"Returning players will not receive any payment from the FedExCup bonus program for the 2026 season and will be ineligible to earn equity from the player equity program for the next five years (2026-2030)," the Tour said. 

"Koepka could miss out on approximately $50-85 million in potential equity earnings, depending on his competitive performance and the growth of the Tour."

Koepka has also agreed to make a $5m donation to an agreed-upon charity. 

In a statement, he said: "When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the PGA Tour, and I am just as excited today to announce that I am returning to the PGA Tour

"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."

Rolapp said the Tour will "continue to  aggressively pursue anything that enhances the fan experience and makes the PGA Tour stronger". 

He added: This is part of our commitment to fans, who expect the world’s best players to compete on the PGA Tour week in and week out."

Brooks Koepka reacts to punishment

Koepka has already given a short interview to Golfweek about this news. 

He may view the biggest issue as not being eligible for sponsor exemptions into the signature events. 

Koepka will have to earn his spot in those fields. 

He told Eamon Lynch: "The penalty is significant but I understand why they've done it. 

"It hurts but it's supposed to. I've got a lot of work to do with the players and I want to do that one-on-one. 

"I want to have those conversations, but behind closed doors."

Brian Rolapp's open letter to golf fans, in full

PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp penned a letter to fans of the sport after the news was confirmed. 

It read: "As the 2026 PGA Tour season begins this week at the Song Open in Hawaii, I wanted to provide an update to our fans on recent player developments that have been in the news, as well as the PGA Tour's response to this unique situation.

"Since becoming CEO last year, my primary focus has been a commitment to our fans to create the best version of te PGA Tour. I promised that together we would respect the past while building the future, challenging ourselves to reach new fans and create a Tour that both reflects the best of sports competition and retains the elite competitive environment our fans expect every week.

"I've been fortunate to hear and learn from so many of our fans on what makes the PGA Tour special, along with the ways we can further enhance the drama and consequence of competing at the highest level of the game. 

"And one thing has been clear from each of these conversations — you all want the best players in the world competing against each other more often.

"On Dec. 23, 2025, Brooks Koepka notified the PGA Tour that his previous affiliation has concluded, and he subsequently applied for reinstatement of Tour membership. 

"This prompted our boards to evaluate how we deliver the best version of the PGA Tour for our fans, players and partners — with severe and justified consequences — which has resulted in our new returning member program.

"Designed to provided an alternative path back to PGA Tour competition for past members who have achieved the highest accomplishments in the game, the returning member program mandates heavy and appropriate limitations to both tournament access and potential earnings that we believe properly holds returning members accountable for substantial compensation earned elsewhere. 

"It also includes elite performance-based criteria that requires winning the Players Championship, Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open or the Open Championship between 2022 and 2025.

"Its strict limitations, which Brooks has agreed to, include a five-year forfeiture of potential equity in the PGA Tour's player equity program, representing one of the largest financial repercussions in professional sports history, with estimations that he could miss out on approximately $50 million to $85 million in potential earnings, depending on his competitive performance and the growth of the Tour.

"At the request of the PGA Tour, Brooks has also agreed to make a $5 million charitable contribution, the recipient(s) of which will be determined jointly.

"Importantly, the returning member program will not take away playing opportunities for current members — fields will be expanded as needed.

"Other eligible players interested in seeking PGA Tour reinstatement must do so by the time the returning member program closes on Monday, Feb. 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.

"We will continue to aggressively pursue anything that enhances the fan experience and makes the PGA Tour stronger. 

"This is part of our commitment to fans, who expect the world's best players to compete on the PGA Tour week in and week out."