Brandel Chamblee Hopes Brooks Koepka’s Return to PGA Tour “Opens” Door for Exodus of Players from LIV Golf

Brooks Koepka got reinstated to the PGA Tour on Monday following the establishment of the Returning Member Program.

Brandel Chamblee Hopes Brooks Koepka’s Return to PGA Tour “Opens” Door for Exodus of Players from LIV Golf

Brandel Chamblee and Brooks Koepka (Image via Imago/Golf)

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Brooks Koepka stole several headlines on Monday as he officially returned to the PGA Tour. Following his return, golf analyst Brandel Chamblee shared his thoughts and hoped that this would open door for exodus of players from LIV Golf.

Koepka, the former World No.1, was one of the marquee names who signed with LIV Golf on a massive deal. He would leave the PGA Tour and join the Saudi-backed tour on a deal reported to be worth more than $100 million.

After 4 years away, Koepka has returned to the tour. 3 weeks ago, reports emerged that he had left LIV Golf due to some family reasons and would not be playing with them in the 2026 season.

In the aftermath of this departure, there were several speculations regarding a sensational return to the tour. On Monday, January 12, this was finalized.

In a statement released by the PGA Tour, CEO Brian Rolapp announced the establishment of the Returning Member Program. In this one-time window, players who have been away from the tour for at least 2 years and had won The Players Championship or any of the 4 majors, would be eligible to return.

As Koepka won the 2023 PGA Championship, he became eligible for return. He thus also became the first major name to leave LIV Golf and come back to the PGA Tour.

Chamblee, who has been a huge critic of LIV Golf, would make his feelings known in a post on X. The analyst expressed that he was hoping Koepka’s return leads to a major domino fall and major players leaving them.

I had a chance to talk with the PGA Tour, and I think the pecuniary penalty they imposed upon Brooks Koepka’s return, though substantial and unprecedented in the history of sports, was nonetheless appropriate. I hope it opens the door to a further exodus from LIV golf, which is a tour that is just an arm of the Saudi state.

Brandel Chamblee said regarding Brooks Koepka

As per the Returning Players Program, the other names who can return are Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. Smith won the Open Championship in 2022, Rahm won the Masters Tournament in 2023, while DeChambeau took home the U.S. Open crown in 2024.

As for the fines placed on Koepka, he will be ineligible for the Players Equity Program from 2026 to 2030 season and miss around $50 to $85 million. He will also not earn any FedEx Cup bonus money in 2026.

He will not receive any sponsors’ exemption into the signature events and will need to find his way into this playing field through the regular qualifying methods. He also had to make a $5 million charitable donation upon request from the tour.

2x PGA Tour champion claims having Brooks Koepka back gives them tremendous value

Brooks Koepka‘s return to the PGA Tour after 4 years on LIV Golf generated a massive buzz on social media on Monday. Amidst this, a 2-time PGA Tour winner claimed that having him back gives the tour a tremendous value.

Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka (Image via Imago)

After Koepka and some other big names joined LIV Golf, the product of the PGA Tour was criticized. With the 5-time major champion back with them, Ludvig Aberg believes that the tour will produce some better golf in the 2026 season.

Tremendous value, I think, speaking on behalf of the players, we all want to play against the best players. Brooks Koepka is certainly one of them. He has a track record of winning, a five-time major champion. Having him back on the PGA Tour is going to help us play better golf.

Ludvig Aberg said regarding Brooks Koepka on The Drop

Koepka will mark his first regular PGA Tour start later this month at the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines course. He will then tee off at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, an event he has won twice in his career.

As for the majors, the 35-year-old has an exemption until 2028 due to him winning the 2023 PGA Championship.

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