Brooks Koepka responds to Tom Watson's harsh PGA Tour-LIV Golf comments at The Masters

Brooks Koepka insisted he had no issue with Tom Watson despite the American golf legend calling for players who quit the PGA Tour for LIV to receive lifetime bans. 

Watson, 73, hit the headlines on day one of The Masters by claiming those who were tempted by the riches of the PIF-backed breakaway to be forever ostracised. 

"If I was the commissioner, that's what I would do," the eight-time major winner said, adding that the defectors broke "the number one rule" to protect the sponsors. 

Major champions Koepka, 35, and Patrick Reed are among a contingent of players who have been granted returns to the PGA Tour. 

Koepka, who quit LIV in December, was reinstated under a new returning member programme whilst Reed will resume his PGA Tour career later in the summer. 

Two other players, Pat Perez and Hudson Swafford, have also been reinstated but will have to wait until 1 January 2027 before they can tee up again. 

Kevin Na has also asked to be reinstated but is still facing disciplinary action, the PGA Tour said. 

Koepka was asked about Watson's opinion after he made a big move up the leaderboard on day two of the 2026 Masters. 

The five-time major champion, who is chasing his first green jacket, backed up a level par 72 with a three-under 69 and is nicely positioned heading into moving day. 

"I mean, I would have to look at exactly what he said," Koepka said. 

"[But] just going off your summary, everybody is entitled to their own opinion.

"That's fine if he thinks that. He's not the first person that's thought that. So yeah, it is what it is. I'm just grateful to be out here."

The terms of Koepka's reinstatement have been made public. 

Along with a charitable donation of $5m, Koepka has had to forfeit equity payments until 2030, is not eligible for FedEx Cup bonus money this season and also has to play his way into the signature events. 

At the time, the PGA Tour claimed it represented one of the "largest financial repercussions in professional sports history" based on "potential earnings depending on his competitive performance and the growth of the Tour".

They estimated that Koepka, who previously confirmed his LIV Golf contract was worth more than $100m, was missing out on potential earnings of $50-85m.

"The people that make those decisions let me out here," added Koepka. 

"If you're going to get the opportunity to come back out you're going to take it."

Koepka's coach, Peter Cowen, told the Times of London before the major began that the golfer was much happier since he re-joined the PGA Tour. 

Although he didn't agree with Koepka's decision to rip up his contract early. 

"I'm just enjoying it a whole lot more," said Koepka. 

"I think there is a huge difference of I'm excited to come out and play every week.

"It is just overall if your happiness is through the roof off the golf course and on the golf course, it's really tough to beat it. 

"You're going enjoy every day, everything you're doing.

"I think that's been a huge thing."

Koepka said he remains on good terms with several LIV Golf players such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. 

"Everything is fine," Koepka said. 

"Jon texted me as soon as I left, said hi to him. Saw Tyrrell. See them quite a bit. Saw him in Orlando [on] Saturday I believe. Drove up there. 

"So everything is fine. I think no relationship has changed."

What did Tom Watson say?

After getting The Masters underway alongside fellow honorary starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Watson spoke to reporters inside the press building at Augusta National. 

The trio spoke on a range of topics, from their favourite Masters memories, the absence of Tiger Woods, the golf ball rollback and the current state of the men's professional game. 

Asked about the PGA Tour permitting the returns of Reed and Koepka, Watson said: "When the players left, they violated the number one rule, which is to protect the sponsors," said the 1977 and 1981 Masters champion.

"Sponsors need players. They need the names to be able to promote their tournaments.

"When the players left for LIV, I think it was basically over.

"They chose to go for the money, which is fine. To return to the Tour, I thought, was a non-starter. Apparently it's not."