What's happened
Brooks Koepka has begun the process to rejoin the PGA Tour after leaving LIV Golf in 2026. The move follows a policy review by the PGA Tour, which is considering penalties for players who defected. Koepka's departure from LIV was motivated by family and health reasons, and his return could impact tour dynamics.
What's behind the headline?
The potential return of Koepka signals a shift in the ongoing rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The tour's policy review, led by new CEO Brian Rolapp, indicates a willingness to reintegrate defectors, especially high-profile players like Koepka. This move could soften tensions and restore some competitive balance.
- The PGA Tour's expansion of the Player Equity Program and the review of penalties for past defectors suggest a strategic effort to attract top talent back.
- Koepka's departure was partly driven by personal reasons, including family and health, which may make his return more palatable to the tour.
- The broader context involves LIV Golf's uncertain future, with doubts about its financial sustainability and appeal, as highlighted by Rory McIlroy's comments.
- The next few months will determine whether the tour's policy changes will successfully lure back star players and how this will reshape professional golf's landscape.
This development underscores the ongoing realignment within professional golf, where the PGA Tour appears to be adopting a more flexible approach to former members, potentially leading to a more unified tour ecosystem in the future.
What the papers say
The articles from NY Post and AP News provide detailed insights into Koepka's application to rejoin the PGA Tour, the tour's policy review, and the broader context of the rivalry with LIV Golf. The NY Post emphasizes Koepka's personal motivations and the potential impact on the tour, while AP News highlights the policy changes and the strategic considerations of the PGA Tour's leadership. Rory McIlroy's comments, reported in the NY Post, add perspective on the uncertain future of LIV Golf and the tour's efforts to strengthen its roster of top players. The articles collectively suggest a pivotal moment in professional golf, with Koepka's move serving as a possible catalyst for reconciliation and reform.
How we got here
Koepka left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in June 2022, a move that surprised many given his support for the tour beforehand. His decision was influenced by injuries and a desire to prioritize family. He later won a major with LIV, but recent developments suggest he is now seeking to return as the PGA Tour revises its policies and expands player incentives.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main professional golf tours played by men in the United States and North America. It organizes most of the events on the flagship annual series of tournaments also known as the PGA Tour, as well as PGA Tour Champions
-
The Super Golf League is a proposed golf league. SGL is owned by LIV Golf, which is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia.
-
Brooks Koepka is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour. In October 2018, he became World Number 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking after winning the 2018 CJ Cup. He won the U.S.
-
Rory McIlroy MBE is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who is a member of both the European and PGA Tours. He is a former world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, having spent over 100 weeks in that position during his career.
-
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer. He is tied for first in PGA Tour wins and ranks second in men's major championships and also holds numerous golf records.