The PGA Tour has opened the door to the return of major winners Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith from LIV Golf after accepting Brooks Koepka back on to the American circuit.
Five-time major champion Koepka will make his comeback at the end of January under a new returning member programme, following his departure from the Saudi Arabian-backed series.
The 35-year-old American controversially quit the PGA Tour to join LIV in 2022 and won five events over four seasons.
In December, Koepka announced that he was leaving the lucrative breakaway league despite reportedly having one year left on his contract and he recently reapplied for his PGA Tour membership.
“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,” said Koepka, who has agreed to forego any payment from the FedExCup Bonus scheme during the 2026 season and will be ineligible for the Tour’s player equity programme between 2026-2030, which could amount to between $50-85m.
“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.”
Koepka’s desire to be reinstated appeared to have provided a huge dilemma for the PGA Tour, with rules dictating that he would not be eligible to play on it again until August, a year after his last LIV appearance.
However, he will now line up at the Farmers Insurance Open, which is being played at Torrey Pines in California between 29 January – 1 February, after being offered an earlier route back on to the PGA Tour.
Only players who have been away from the PGA Tour for at least two years and have won The Players Championship or a major between 2022-25 are eligible under the terms of the newly announced initiative.
That opens the door for Rahm (2023 Masters), DeChambeau (2024 US Open) and Smith (2022 Open Championship), to return from LIV – however, the PGA Tour statement said that avenue would close on 2 February.
Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson would be ineligible to return under those parameters given he won the US PGA Championship in 2021.
In a letter to fans, PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp outlined that programme would be only open for the 2026 campaign and was in “response to a unique set of circumstances”.
“We will continue to aggressively pursue anything that enhances the fan experience and makes the PGA Tour stronger,” said Rolapp.
“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.”
Koepka, who won the third of his US PGA Championship titles in 2023, has also agreed to make a $5m charitable contribution and has already committed to play in the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale held on 5-8 February.
Returning PGA Tour members will be expected to participate in a minimum of 15 co-sponsored and approved tournaments in 2026.
