Brooks Koepka returns to PGA Tour — here’s what it will cost him

Brooks Koepka took the money and ran to LIV Golf in 2022 and now it’ll cost him a pretty penny to come back to the PGA Tour.

The five-time major champion announced his return to the PGA Tour on Monday after parting ways with the Saudi-backed golf circuit.

Koepka spent four seasons playing for LIV Golf, ultimately ending his contract one year early.

“I want to thank my family and my team for their continued support throughout every step of my professional career. When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the PGA Tour and I am just as excited today to announce that I am returning to the PGA TOUR,” Koepka wrote in a statement posted to his social media accounts.

“Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this opportunity especially meaningful to me.”

Koepka rejoins the Tour as part of a new Returning Member Program, which PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp outlined in a memo on Monday and later posted on the PGA Tour’s X account.

“Designed to provide an alternative path back to PGA Tour competition for past members who have achieved the highest accomplishments in the game, the Returning Member Program mandates heavy and appropriate limitations to both tournament access and potential earnings that we believe properly holds returning members accountable for substantial compensation earned elsewhere,” https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/2010785182677418489.

“It also includes elite performance-based criteria that requires winning the Players Championship, Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open or The Open Championship between 2022 and 2025.”

Koepka, who won the 2023 PGA Championship, fulfills that criteria. Other LIV Golf defectors that currently fit the bill include Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith.

But there also is a cost associated with his return to play in the North American-based tour.

What are the penalties for Koepka?

As part of the terms agreed to, Koepka will be able to return to play almost immediately, but with “strict limitations.”

Koepka will make a charitable donation of $5 million US and will be ineligible for both the Player Equity Program for five years (with a projected $50 million to $85 million in lost earnings) and the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus payouts.

He will be eligible for the Presidents Cup and TGL.

“I believe in where the PGA TOUR is headed with new leadership, new investors, and an equity program that gives players a meaningful ownership stake,” Koepka said. “I also understand there are financial penalties associated with this decision, and I accept those.”

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When will he be back?

He concluded his statement by thanking his fans, while hinting when they might see him back on the course.

“Finally, I want to thank the fans. Your support means more to me today than ever before, and I look forward to seeing you soon at the Farmers Insurance Open and WM Phoenix Open.

The Farmers Insurance Open tees off Jan. 29 while the WM Phoenix Open begins on Feb. 5.