Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf back in January caused quite the stir.
Koepka left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf way back in June 2022, and he achieved huge success with the Saudi-backed league.
Advertisement
The 35-year-old American won five times in a scintillating 22-month spell on LIV Golf.
However, Brooks Koepka endured a challenging 2025, and it quickly became clear that he wanted to return to the PGA Tour after his three-year spell with LIV Golf.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Koepka left LIV Golf in December 2025 and rejoined the PGA Tour just three weeks later.
Since then, he has played some fantastic golf, but his putter has stopped him from winning.
Many PGA Tour players welcomed Koepka back with open arms, but there definitely would have been some who questioned the process.
Brooks Koepka confirms if any PGA Tour players have told him they’re unhappy he was allowed back
Lucas Glover is one player who was very outspoken regarding LIV players potentially returning to the PGA Tour.
Advertisement
However, the sanctions imposed on Koepka surely made the pill easier to swallow.
He isn’t eligible to play in any Signature Events without qualifying for them, and he had to pay a $5 million fee to charity.
In addition to that, any time he plays, an extra spot is made available so that he isn’t taking up a PGA Tour member’s place in the field.
On Thursday after his opening round in Canada, Koepka was asked whether he has received any pushback from his fellow pros after returning to the PGA Tour.
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
“Yeah, it’s been great. It’s been nice to be back. I’ve enjoyed it,“ the five-time major champion replied.
Advertisement
“I think the players have been very receptive. I haven’t heard — at least nobody said it to my face about anything. A lot of, ‘we’re glad you’re back’.
“It’s been enjoyable. I know myself, my family, everybody’s happy and excited to see what this next part is.“
That’s really great to hear.
Those, like Glover, who weren’t happy about the idea of LIV players coming back, probably realized that a player of Koepka’s stature returning was a good thing for the PGA Tour as a whole.
Brooks Koepka has paid the price for PGA Tour return
His route back was fairly seamless in the end, but it wasn’t without difficulty.
Advertisement
Koepka was made to pay for his decision to join LIV Golf, both financially and professionally.
He has had to start from scratch and in fairness to him, he has shown complete willingness to do so.
There is something very impressive about Brooks Koepka waiting all day as an alternate for a tee time at Signature Events without actually getting into the field.
He is clearly working so hard on his game right now, and a return to the PGA Tour winners’ circle is surely not too far away for Koepka.
One thing’s for sure; Koepka’s return has been a very good thing for the PGA Tour. The only question now is who will follow him over the course of the next 6-12 months?
Read the full article here
