Brooks Koepka has become the first LIV Golf defector to be welcomed back under the PGA Tour’s newly approved one-time “Returning Member Program.” The program sounds pragmatic, as it does away with the supposed one-year ban on the 5-time major champ. But in reality, the cost it levies is steep, reaching a massive $85 million.

“It’s a harsh punishment financially,” Koepka said in his interview with the Associated Press. “I understand exactly why the Tour did that — it’s meant to hurt; it does hurt, but I understand. It’s not supposed to be an easy path.”

Koepka has accepted a punishment that would require him to make a $5 million charitable contribution. He will also be denied access to FedEx Cup bonus money in 2026, as well as sponsors’ exemption into the $20 M signature events. Furthermore, Koepka will have no equity grants in PGA Tour Enterprises for the next five years. Adding all these up, the estimated penalty comes to a staggering $85 M.

When he met Brian Rolapp, Koepka knew that there wasn’t any scope for negotiations. Hence, he accepted the offer, considering it a better option than the alternative, which was a one-year ban. As per some reports, those bans could also extend up to five years. But this new framework bypasses that process. Earlier, Koepka’s fate of returning to the PGA Tour lay in the hands of Tiger Woods.

But now, it is this Returning Member Program that’s strategically created to allow only major champions or the Players Championship winner between 2022 and 2025 to get back to the Tour. Returning players must meet Tour regulations, which include a minimum 15-event participation requirement. Apart from Koepka, if Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith return, they too will be considered eligible.

But at the same time, the high penalty makes one question if a one-year ban was a sufficient punishment or if this $85 M was. In financial terms, Koepka doesn’t face many issues. His career earnings come to somewhere around $97.3 M. LIV gave him more than $200 M when he joined, and it would have given him $10 M had he accepted the contract renewal. Now he has to pay from his own pocket to be allowed to play.

On top of that, Koepka has a lot of mending to do.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do with some of the players,” Koepka said in the telephonic interview. “There are definitely happy guys and definitely guys who will be angry… If anyone is upset, I need to rebuild those relationships.”

For Koepka, his new beginning will start at the Farmers Insurance Open. He last appeared at the event more than a decade ago and registered a T41 finish. Surely, the nerves would be high for his second time. But they wouldn’t be just about the golf shots. His return left many hurt, including the loyal PGA Tour fans. How the crowd reacts to his presence remains to be seen.

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Not everyone is happy to have Brooks Koepka back

The reaction of everyone on the Tour to Koepka’s return is mixed. Max Homa and Russell Henley accepted Brooks Koepka’s return with open hands. Fred Couples was particularly excited, and Ludvig Aberg asserted that it was an overall win for competitive golf. Before all of this was confirmed, Rory McIlroy, too, had affirmed that Koepka should be let in without facing any punishment, but he noted that there are a few legalities in place.

That’s probably because top players like McIlroy wouldn’t be much affected by the ex-LIV golfer’s return. The ones who’d suffer are the golfers placed on the bottom echelons of the Tour ranking. Brian Rolapp has, anyway, limited the field size. From 125, the number has come down to 100. In several signature events, like the upcoming Sony Open, only 125 players will be on the field, down from last year’s 144.

Naturally, the competition reaches a high. Rookie and struggling players would scramble to get in. Monday Qs, which used to offer a respite, have also faced a reduction in number. If, in such cases, a player like Brooks Koepka, who hasn’t played well for the last two years or so, gets a direct and easy path to the Tour, it is bound to raise several eyebrows.