Brooks Koepka has made a notable return to the PGA Tour after a stint with LIV Golf, but the comeback comes at a significant cost. On Monday, he was officially reinstated under the new “Returning Members Program,” which allows players who have won a major or the Players Championship between 2022 and 2025 to return. However, this path comes with financial implications that are hard to ignore.
To re-enter the PGA Tour, Koepka agreed to a hefty $5 million donation to charity and forfeited his potential equity in the Tour’s Player Equity Program for five years. This decision could end up costing him between $55 million and $90 million, according to PGA Tour projections. Additionally, Koepka will not be eligible for the 2026 FedEx Cup Bonus payouts. However, a recent update has changed the landscape for this year’s Tour Championship. The purse, which totals $40 million, is now considered “Official Money” rather than part of the FedEx Cup bonus pool. This means that although Koepka cannot access the bonus payouts, he can still compete for the substantial purse at the Tour Championship if he qualifies.
Koepka, a nine-time PGA Tour winner, expressed enthusiasm for his return, stating he is ready to embrace the financial penalties imposed and is looking forward to competing at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
While Koepka has made his choice clear, other players like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith remain committed to LIV Golf, having publicly stated their intentions to stick with the league. DeChambeau mentioned his contract through 2026, while Rahm and Smith emphasized their dedication to LIV and their enjoyment of being part of the league’s development.
Koepka was among the first to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in 2022, citing health concerns and uncertainty about his future in the sport. His successful comeback, highlighted by winning the 2023 PGA Championship, has made him reconsider his previous decisions. As the PGA Tour continues to evolve, the implications of such high-profile returns are likely to resonate deeply within the golfing community, emphasizing the ongoing tension between traditional tours and new leagues like LIV Golf.