Brooks Koepka, a golf legend with five major wins under his belt, is reportedly considering a return to the PGA Tour. This revelation came to light following an intimate discussion with fellow golfer, Fred Couples. The speculations have been brewing amid ongoing negotiations between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the PGA Tour leadership.
Couples was quoted by Golfweek saying, “He wants to come back. I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the Tour.” This statement has sparked intense speculation that one of golf’s biggest names, currently playing under the LIV Golf banner, might be considering a move back to the more traditional PGA Tour.
Koepka made headlines in 2022 when he signed a lucrative deal with LIV. He debuted at the Portland event, sharing the spotlight with fellow American, Bryson DeChambeau, who had his inaugural LIV appearance at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.
Much like his contemporaries, Koepka was candid about his decision to join LIV. During a podcast conversation with internet sensation Jake Paul, he revealed the details of his contract. In 2023, Koepka admitted to Paul that he had inked a nine-figure deal with LIV. “It was nine. It was pretty good. I was pretty happy with that one!” he exclaimed.
The former world number one also acknowledged the influence of Phil Mickelson, who advocated for players owning their rights. Koepka lamented that golfers seldom had the opportunity to capitalize on their own moments, as those were typically owned by the Tour or the league.
His decision to join the Saudi-backed league was primarily influenced by financial security. “I am going to be honest with you; I signed for the dough,” he admitted. He added, “I don’t know tomorrow, I could go get into a car accident and never play golf again, but my family is taken care of, and that was a big thing for me.”
The speculation of Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour aligns with the ongoing discussions about the reunification of professional golf. Optimism has been fueled by a meeting between Donald Trump, Adam Scott, and Jay Monahan, along with PIF chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s visit to the White House to meet with the former president and the Tour’s leadership.
After nearly 19 months of uncertainty since the announcement of the framework agreement, it seems there may be an end in sight. Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard even suggested that LIV golfers might participate in the 2025 Players Championship, though this scenario seems rather ambitious.
In the meantime, former LIV player Laurie Canter, who is among the world’s top 50 golfers, will be the first ex-LIV golfer to participate in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event, just over a year since his last appearance in the PIF-backed league. This development may signal a potential shift in the dynamics between LIV and the PGA Tour, reigniting the possibility of a return for Brooks Koepka.
