Brooks Koepka‘s “homecoming” might be the most anticipated event in 2026. He himself hasn’t signaled a PGA Tour return, but his mere exit from LIV has prompted several conversations. Although Koepka’s popularity, thanks to his 5 majors, might make a case for a smooth return, Brandel Chamblee vehemently opposes the idea, and he has a pretty solid reason.

“Allowing Brooks Koepka to return to the PGA Tour with no consequence would undermine the very meritocratic foundations that make the PGA Tour legitimate,” wrote Chamblee on X.

Chamblee argues that this isn’t about “revenge,” but a key moment to set a precedential example for the future to follow. Koepka’s easy return would be a “bad signal” as the idea of the PGA Tour lies equally in commitment and loyalty, just as much as it does in talent. If the PGA Tour refuses to play its part on that, then talent becomes the sole factor, and institutions then come second to the golfer. The very institution that LIV had “destabilized.”

“LIV did not merely offer an alternative league; it fractured fields, diluted competitive meaning, triggered legal warfare, undermined sponsorship stability, and forced structural change across all of professional golf. ” Chamblee opined. “Koepka was not a passive bystander; he was a marquee legitimizer.”

“His credibility made LIV viable,” Brandel Chamblee further wrote. “The players who stayed on the PGA Tour paid a price…, shoulder reputational risk and take on a greater responsibility of protecting the Tour’s continuity.”

LIV “poaching” some of the biggest names from the PGA Tour: Phil Mickelson (reportedly for $200 M), Dustin Johnson ($125 M), Bryson DeChambeau ($125 M), and, of course, Brooks Koepka ($100 M) had a severe impact on the Tour. Then, one of the biggest blows came when Jon Rahm switched, shocking everyone.

As a result of all this, the field became significantly weaker, viewership suffered, lawsuits followed, and overall, the game was fractured. Players couldn’t compete with the big names who had defected to LIV, as the PGA Tour banned LIV golfers from participating. The reward for every PGA Tour player to stay “loyal” was “instability.”

At the time Koepka joined LIV, he was a four-time major champ. In his debut year, he won the LIV Golf Invitational in Jeddah and then followed it with two more LIV Golf events in 2023. Then, a fifth major, the PGA Championship ’23, made him the first LIV golfer to win a major.  By August 2024, Koepka had five individual LIV Golf victories. At that time, it was more than any other player in the league’s short history.

This was not the first time Chamblee has commented on Koepka’s return. He had been very actively speaking his mind ever since the news came out on December 24. His initial thought was that the PGA Tour should make it “difficult but doable” for golfers to return for the betterment of the PGA Tour and to the detriment of LIV Golf.

As Chamblee now puts it, “Forgiveness without cost is not reconciliation; it’s erasure. Reintegration is appropriate. Amnesia is not.”

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Brandel Chamblee’s terms for a Brooks Koepka PGA Tour return

Brandel Chamblee believes that the “punishment” that Koepka should face need not be punitive, but only meaningful. Keeping that in mind, he offers several examples.

At first, he could be asked to requalify for the PGA Tour. Now this can be done through the old-school ways, that is, either through the Korn Ferry Tour or through Monday Qs. This puts Koepka on the same pedestal as other amateur/young golfers trying to break in. But at the same time, there can be several outcries.

Many can complain of an unfair advantage to Koepka if he competes in such events. The golfer turned pro a long time back, and his contention might take away another equally talented golfer’s chance. This could be very similar to the hate Colt Knost faced when he announced his wish to regain amateur status.

“He could have limited season eligibility and/or a suspension tied to a prior contracted breach,” Chamblee further suggested.

While it stands on the same ground as what the PGA Tour holds now, Chamblee leverages a rather “relaxed” approach. Instead of a full one-year ban, the Tour can impose limited season eligibility or a short suspension. This again fulfills the agenda of facing the consequences while giving the golfer an open-door entry.

Many wouldn’t agree with Chamblee’s viewpoints, but for a large number of fans, watching their favorite players together has been the ultimate dream. And if Koepka’s ‘no consequence return’ gives them that, they wouldn’t mind it much. At the same time, this might also provide the other LIV golfers a potential reason to come back.

Nevertheless, the PGA Tour, on its part, hasn’t given much as to what stand it will take. Will it be a “marketplace of convenience” or protect its meritocracy?