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PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has addressed the reports and rumors involving LIV Golf’s future, or potential lack thereof, with a blunt message about where the Tour’s priorities lie amid uncertain times.
Last week, it was widely reported that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) was preparing to end its funding of LIV Golf after announcing a five-year investment strategy focused on reprioritizing spending. Since the Saudis are the sole financiers of the breakaway golf course, a stoppage of funds would in all likelihood end the current iteration of LIV Golf.
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LIV Golf Mexico went ahead as planned this weekend amid the very loud rumours. Two-time major champion Jon Rahm won the event, and on Sunday LIV formally announced it would return to Mexico in 2027 on a currently unspecified date.
Jon Rahm in action during the first round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at Riyadh Golf Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 4, 2026. (Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters)
Rolapp, the former Executive Vice President of NFL Media, joined Monday’s edition of ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on ESPN and was transparent as he shared his thoughts on the reports and rumors involving LIV Golf.
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Most notably, Rolapp admitted that the PGA Tour is considering potential pathways back for players who left the Tour to join the Saudi-backed league.
“I think we’re thinking about it,” Rolapp said when asked about players potentially returning. “Look, we all read the same headlines you read, we don’t know what’s going on over there [at LIV Golf]. We know those guys are under contract, we will respect that.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp speaks to members of the media at a news conference ahead of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 11, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
“Brooks [Koepka] came back to the Tour because he made a phone call and said, ‘Look, I’m out of my contract, I’m ready to come back.’ So we’re thinking about it and we’ll respond when we have an opportunity to respond, but right now we’re focused on making the PGA Tour better. I’ve said it publicly and I’ll say it again, I’m interested in doing what makes the PGA Tour better. That’s what my job is, that’s what I’m interested in, and it has no limits.’
Koepka, a five-time major winner, returned to the PGA Tour at the start of 2026 after joining LIV Golf in June 2022. He did so via the Tour’s ‘Returning Member Program’, which is only available to former Tour members who have won The Players or a major championship between 2022 and 2025.
Brooks Koepka of the United States reacts after chipping in for birdie on the 17th hole during the second round of the 125th US Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 13, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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Koepka agreed to make a $5 million charitable contribution upon his return to the Tour. He also agreed to include a five-year forfeiture of potential equity in the PGA Tour’s Player Equity Program, which estimates his potential loss to be around $50-$85 million. Koepka also will not receive any FedEx Cup bonus payment in 2026.
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Patrick Reed also left LIV Golf in early 2026 to seek a return to the PGA Tour. The former Masters champion is serving a one-year suspension that ends in August and is well on his way to earning his PGA Tour card back for 2027 with a pair of wins earlier this year on the DP World Tour.
Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Smith and Rahm remain the most high-profile players competing on LIV Golf, and their return to the PGA Tour would no doubt fit into Rolapp’s focus on making the PGA Tour better.
