Will Bryson DeChambeau join Brooks Koepka in accepting PGA Tour’s return offer?
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To facilitate the return of Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour and open the same door to LIV Golf members Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith, the tour took an aggressive approach in creating what it has called the Returning Member Program.
There is an intentional specificity to the new program – it is only open to those four players based on their victories since 2022 in either the Players Championship or a major championship, and their window to decide closes on Feb. 2 – and it demonstrates the tour’s willingness to adjust to both its new leadership and the game’s altered landscape.
The rules, which include a mandatory charitable contribution of $5 million by Koepka and significant earning limitations for up to five years, were endorsed by the PGA Tour’s Policy Board and incorporated input from the Player Advisory Council.
“We recognize there may be questions about how this policy holds a returning player accountable, especially after earning substantial compensation elsewhere. Ultimately, by accepting membership in the Returning Member category, Brooks is making the decision to return to the PGA Tour now – something our fans want, and something that strengthens both the game and our organization,” new CEO Brian Rolapp wrote in a memo to tour members.
“After thoughtful analysis, the Boards have approved these financial conditions for the Returning Member category, including:
Returning Members are ineligible to earn equity from the Player Equity Program for the next five years (2026-30);
Returning Members will not receive any payment from the FedEx Cup Bonus Program for the 2026 season.
“Forfeiting five years of potential equity in our Player Equity Program represents one of the largest financial repercussions in professional sports history – our estimations are that Brooks could miss out on approximately $50-85 million in potential earnings depending on his competitive performance and the growth of the tour,” Rolapp’s memo continued.
“Additionally, at the request of the PGA Tour, Brooks has agreed to make a $5 million charitable contribution, the recipient(s) of which will be determined jointly.”
In making the announcement, the tour said the new program honors the game’s inherent meritocracy, giving those who achieved at the highest level the opportunity to return.
Koepka is immediately eligible for all full-field events, additional events and the Players Championship. While he cannot accept sponsor exemptions into signature events, he is eligible to qualify for them via the various “play-in” categories, including the Aon Next 10, the Aon Swing 5, top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking and by winning a full-field event.
He must also participate in a minimum of 15 approved events in 2026 and, should he qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs, he will not impact another player’s potential eligibility. The same goes regarding status for 2027 via the point standings.
Under the new program, Koepka (and any returning player who joins him) must comply with all tour guidelines in 2026, and all pending disciplinary actions and fines will be waived upon conclusion of the season and the player remaining a tour member in good standing in 2027.
As for the return of other players from LIV, the tour said: “It is not necessarily an indication of what the tour will do in future situations. It is only open for a limited period of time and under these limited conditions to those who qualify.
“Former members who do not qualify for the Returning Member Program must first notify the tour of their desire to reinstate their membership. Should a player seek to reinstate his membership, he would be subject to disciplinary action for violations incurred as a member and any violations to the non-member policy. The PGA Tour does not comment on disciplinary matters.”
Ron Green Jr.
