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Brooks Koepka took the golf world by storm in the late 2010s, winning four majors between 2018 and 2019.
His dominance in the majors made him an instant fan favorite, but after a move to LIV Golf in 2022, fans saw much less of Koepka.
That’s because when Koepka left the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed league, he was only eligible to play in the majors. However, his performance in them in 2023, topped off with his third PGA Championship victory, also earned him the nod for the Ryder Cup.
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Tiger Woods of the United States walks off the 13th tee with his playing partner Brooks Koepka of the United States during the first round of the 2019 PGA Championship on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on May 16, 2019 in Farmingdale, New York. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
But amid poor play since then, and after rumors of buyer’s remorse, Koepka left LIV Golf with a year left on his deal to return to the PGA Tour last week.
Speaking about Koepka’s return, Tiger Woods said it is “incredible for all the fans.”
“They want to see the best play against the best,” Woods told ESPN on Tuesday. “And because Brooks wanted to come back, a year early, and he was able to do it.”
“There are some punishable injuries there, but it’s a meritocracy. That’s what makes our game so great. He’s going to play full-court events and he has the ability to earn his way into signature events. If he’s good, he’s good. If he plays well, he plays well. If he wins tournaments, he wins him no reason why we should continue to hold him back,” says Wood.
Koepka opted out of LIV Golf late last month, citing family time as his reason for leaving. Ironically, he will be on the road even more after joining the PGA Tour again. In fact, Cameron Smith reiterated his commitment to LIV Golf earlier this week, saying it allows him to be at home more often.
“When I was a kid I always dreamed of competing on the @PGATOUR and I’m just as excited today to announce my return to the PGA TOUR. Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this opportunity especially meaningful to me,” Koepka said in his announcement of his return to the PGA Tour.
Brooks Koepka during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. (Aaron Doster-Imagn Photos)
LIV GOLF STARS COMMIT TO STAY AFTER BROOKS KOEPKA’S DEPARTURE, RETURN TO PGA TOUR
“I believe in where the PGA TOUR is headed with new leadership, new investors and an equity program that gives players meaningful ownership. I also understand that there are financial penalties associated with this decision and I accept them.”
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said Koepka’s return sparked the returning membership program for those who left the company and might decide to follow in Koepka’s footsteps.
Rolapp said Koepka agreed to a few conditions upon his return to the PGA Tour, including a “five-year forfeiture of potential equity in the PGA Tour’s Player Equity Program, which represents one of the largest financial impacts in professional sports history, with estimates that he could lose about $50-85 million in potential earnings, depending on his competitive performance,” and depending on Rolapp’s competitive performance. Koepka will also make a charitable donation of $5 million to an organization yet to be determined.
Brooks Koepka during a practice round ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St. Andrews on September 30, 2025 in St. Andrews, Scotland. (Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Koepka became the first person to return to the PGA Tour after defecting for LIV Golf.
