Major Champion Brooks Koepka Returning to PGA Tour
One of the best golfers in the world is returning to the premier golf circuit on the planet.
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka is heading back to the PGA Tour after spending the last few years playing in the controversial LIV Golf league. Koepka was one of the highest-profile players to defect from the tour in 2022, joining for reported multi-million dollar contracts.
The PGA Tour banned Koepka and other players who joined LIV, barring them from non-major events against top competition.
Top LIV Golfers Head Back to PGA Tour
The LIV players were allowed to play in major tournaments, and Koepka even won the 2023 PGA Tournament as a LIV player. The hard split between LIV and the PGA Tour fragmented the golf world, but Koepka's return could inspire others to make their way back to the top tour.
Koepka is making his way back to the PGA Tour under its new "Returning Members Program," designed to allow elite players to work their way back into reinstatement. Players who have won a major tournament since 2022 are eligible for the program - Koekpa, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith.
An open letter from PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp pic.twitter.com/jiuZk1RiLp
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 12, 2026
The players have until February 2 to complete the program, which the PGA Tour says is available on a one-time basis and "does not set a precedent for future situations." Players must agree to a five-year forfeiture of the PGA Tour player equity program and make a $5 million charitable contribution.
The returning players will be eligible for all full-field PGA Tour events and the Players Championship, but they must earn their way into the PGA Tour's eight "signature events" that pay a higher prize pool. The returnees can earn eligibility by winning a tournament or rising to the top 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Koepka's Motivation For Returning
"I want to thank my family and my team for their continued support throughout every step of my professional career. When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the PGA Tour," Koepka said in a statement on Monday.
I want to thank my family and my team for their continued support throughout every step of my professional career. When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the @PGATOUR, and I am just as excited today to announce that I am returning to the PGA TOUR. Being closer to… pic.twitter.com/SEIehuZN7O
— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) January 12, 2026
"Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this opportunity especially meaningful to me." Koepka added that he believes in the PGA Tour moving forward, citing its new leadership and new investors.
The player equity program - designed partly in response to elite players like Koepka deflecting for higher amounts of guaranteed money in LIV - was also among Koepka's reasons for returning.
Koepka's first tournament since returning will be the Farmer's Insurance Open in San Diego at the end of the month. He'll also play in the WM Open in Phoenix, where he'll be greeted by one of the most unique crowd environments in golf.