Brooks Koepka is set to make his highly anticipated return to the PGA Tour at the end of January, with the 35-year-old five-time major champion agreeing to a new returning member programme. The deal, which includes a $5 million charitable donation and foregone payment from the FedExCup Bonus scheme during the 2026 season, brings Koepka back to the American circuit after he left for Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf in 2022.
Under the terms of his return, Koepka will be ineligible for the Tour's player equity programme between 2026 and 2030, which could amount to $50-85 million. However, the PGA Tour has welcomed him back with open arms, offering an earlier route back onto the circuit rather than waiting until August, a year after his last LIV appearance.
Koepka's decision to return comes as a significant development for the PGA Tour, with the breakaway tour LIV Golf facing a huge dilemma in retaining its biggest stars. The PGA Tour has been keen to bring back major winners such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, who could all be eligible under new returning member programme.
The deal is seen as a bold move by PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp, who believes it will help to bolster the tour's competitiveness. However, LIV Golf has expressed its disappointment at Koepka's decision, with the breakaway tour releasing a statement claiming that it "championed an open ecosystem and freedom for all".
Koepka's return is also likely to be welcomed by fans, who have been eagerly awaiting his comeback after he announced his departure from LIV in December. The American will make his first appearance back on the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California between 29 January and 1 February.
The PGA Tour has stated that returning members will be expected to participate in a minimum of 15 co-sponsored and approved tournaments in 2026, with Koepka committing to play in the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale from 5-8 February. The deal is seen as a significant development for the PGA Tour, which has been looking to strengthen its competitiveness ahead of the 2026 season.
Under the terms of his return, Koepka will be ineligible for the Tour's player equity programme between 2026 and 2030, which could amount to $50-85 million. However, the PGA Tour has welcomed him back with open arms, offering an earlier route back onto the circuit rather than waiting until August, a year after his last LIV appearance.
Koepka's decision to return comes as a significant development for the PGA Tour, with the breakaway tour LIV Golf facing a huge dilemma in retaining its biggest stars. The PGA Tour has been keen to bring back major winners such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, who could all be eligible under new returning member programme.
The deal is seen as a bold move by PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp, who believes it will help to bolster the tour's competitiveness. However, LIV Golf has expressed its disappointment at Koepka's decision, with the breakaway tour releasing a statement claiming that it "championed an open ecosystem and freedom for all".
Koepka's return is also likely to be welcomed by fans, who have been eagerly awaiting his comeback after he announced his departure from LIV in December. The American will make his first appearance back on the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California between 29 January and 1 February.
The PGA Tour has stated that returning members will be expected to participate in a minimum of 15 co-sponsored and approved tournaments in 2026, with Koepka committing to play in the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale from 5-8 February. The deal is seen as a significant development for the PGA Tour, which has been looking to strengthen its competitiveness ahead of the 2026 season.
also wonder what will happen if other top players like rahm and dechambeau join him 
. I mean, he's one of the best players of all time and his return's definitely a big win for the tour. The deal's got some sweet perks too - that $5 million charitable donation is huge 
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. Bring it on! 
... but now he's back and I couldn't be more stoked! The deal is sweet, $5 million charity donation and all that. But what really gets me is how the PGA Tour is trying to poach their stars back. It feels like a big mess, you know? Like they're trying to create this whole new ecosystem, but it's just gonna end up being another version of the same thing we had before 
Anyway, I'm hyped for his comeback, but at the end of the day, it feels like more of the same.
he's literally one of the greatest golfers of all time and i've been waiting for this moment since he left for that crazy liv golf thing 
$5 million charity donation tho is pretty cool, but like what about his future earnings lol 
and it's actually good news for the PGA tour I think they got him with some sweet deals 
especially with Koepka committing to 15 more events next year which could be a big chunk of their schedule. fans are gonna love seeing him back on the tour again 
just saw that Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour comes with a hefty price tag - $50-85 million in foregone payment 
. And let's not forget about LIV Golf, who are basically crying themselves to sleep because their biggest star is leaving them 
. Not sure if this move by the PGA Tour will actually make a difference, but it's definitely a bold attempt to strengthen their competitiveness 
. Can't wait for Koepka to return and crush us all on the course 
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. btw can't wait for him to crush it at torrey pines tho
so I was just reading about brooks koepka coming back to the pga tour and I gotta say I'm kinda shocked he left in the first place. like, what's the deal with liv golf? 
. And don't even get me started on LIV Golf's tantrum about it... come on guys, can't we all just get along? 
this is gonna be lit at torrey pines jan 29- feb 1
. And let's be real, $5 million is cute, but it's probably just a tiny fraction of what he'd be making if he stuck with the PGA Tour 
. Bring it on, Brooks! We've been waiting patiently for your return 
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