Tiger Woods Claims It’s “Incredible” to Have 5x Major Champion Brooks Koepka Back on PGA Tour

Tiger Woods expressed that Brooks Koepka wrote a letter to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and CEO Brian Rolapp, and insisted that he wanted to come back.

Tiger Woods Claims It’s “Incredible” to Have 5x Major Champion Brooks Koepka Back on PGA Tour

Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods (Image via TSN/X/@PGATOUR)

Tiger Woods is thrilled to see Brooks Koepka return to the PGA Tour. Following his comeback, the golf great opened up about it before his team’s TGL fixture and claimed it was “incredible” to have him back on the tour.

Koepka, the 5-time major champion, shocked the golf world in December with his sudden departure from LIV Golf. The former Smash GC captain was reported to have parted ways with the Saudi-backed tour due to some family reasons.

A few days ago, reports emerged that he had applied for reinstatement on the PGA Tour. On Monday, new Tour CEO Brian Rolapp issued a statement and announced the establishment of the Returning Member Program, which allowed Koepka to return to the PGA Tour.

Ahead of Jupiter Links GC’s TGL showdown against the New York Golf Club, Woods would speak with Scott Van Pelt. During this conversation, the former World No.1 expressed that he and the other board members and player directors worked through Christmas and early New Year to find a solution that would allow Koepka to come back.

I think it’s incredible for the Tour. It’s incredible for the fans who want to see the best against the best. We worked through Christmas and into the early part of the year. Both boards, player directors, other players, we wanted to make sure this was right… That’s what makes our game so great.

Tiger Woods said regarding Brooks Koepka’s return to PGA Tour

There are some fines that Koepka has to pay following his return. The 35-year-old will be ineligible for the Player Equity Program for 5 years (2026 to 2030) and will lose approximately $50 to $85 million from potential equity earnings.

He will also be ineligible for the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus money. He will not get any sponsors’ exemption into the signature events and will have to earn his spot into these field through the other qualifying methods.

Tiger Woods opens up about his recovery as dark clouds loom over his future

On Tuesday, Tiger Woods opened up about his recovery from surgery. As dark clouds continue to loom over his future, the 15-time major champion provided an update regarding it.

Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods (Image via Imago)

Woods has not played competitive golf since The Open Championship in 2024. After missing the Genesis Invitational last year due to the passing of his mother, Kultida Woods, he was supposed to make his first start of the year at the Masters Tournament.

However, he suffered a massive setback while trying to prepare himself for this major championship. He ruptured his Achilles tendon and had to undergo surgery.

In October, he underwent another back surgery. This marked the 3rd time in 13 months that he had gone under the knife.

With him turning 50 in December, he is eligible to play on the PGA Tour Champions, the senior tour. However, there is still no concrete timeline for his actual return.

I’ve been cleared to hit, basically, hit short irons and mid irons. I haven’t gone any beyond that.

Tiger Woods told Scott Van Pelt before Jupiter Links GC’s match

In the post-round interview after their 6-3 loss against the NYGC, Woods expressed that he will need to move up from the irons to be able to play out competitively.

Well, I’m moving up to short irons, so that’s about it. I need a little bit more than that to be able to play here… At my speed right now, I could probably play the Stinger hole. Just kind of roll it off the tee. But no, I’m progressing, which is nice.

Tiger Woods said regarding his health in the post-round interview

Woods could face another huge setback at the 2026 Open Championship. The golfer, who holds the record for the most weeks spent as World No.1 at 683 weeks, could fall out of the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) if he does not make his competitive return until the 29th week of 2026, which is the time when the Open Championship will be played at the Royal Birkdale.

This would mark 2 years since Woods competed in any event that offers the OWGR points. Since the ratings of these points are based on a “two-year rolling period,” the golfer could completely fall out of the rankings.

Woods has to play in at least one event that offers the OWGR points for that to not happen. Given his current condition, things look bleak for him at the moment.

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