Brooks Koepka’s long road back to the PGA Tour began with a simple email. In a recent announcement, it was confirmed that the former LIV Golf pro would return at the Farmers Insurance Open through the Tour’s new “Returning Member Program,” putting an end to months of speculation. However, that has caused a stir inside the Tour.

One of the renegade voices is 2023 U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark. While he admires Koepka, the fact that Koepka left for LIV, decided to come back after playing four seasons, and was welcomed back without any suspension, doesn’t sit right with him.

Speaking to SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, Clark delivered a blunt assessment. “I personally really like Brooks, and I think it’s ultimately really good for the PGA Tour, but also, it’s kind of frustrating that he’s able to get the cake and also eat it, so I’m very torn.”

Koepka has to donate $5 million to charity, forego FedEx Cup bonuses this year, and is barred from PGA Tour equity for the next five years. The five-time major winner called it harsh, even though he had no choice but to accept it. Clark clearly believes it isn’t enough, and what he said next gives that away.

“If you would’ve told me that I could have gone for a year and a half, make a boatload of money, and then be able to come back and play on the Tour, I think almost everyone would have done that,” the 32-year-old vented in the podcast.

This tension cuts to the heart of the Tour’s loyalty dilemma. It should be noted that Wyndham Clark declined a lucrative LIV Golf offer after his major victory. He consulted with his PGA Tour peers and decided to stay back.

Clark watched others like Brooks Koepka chase Saudi money while he stayed put through the uncertainty. When the time came, the PGA Tour also tweaked its rule to allow the five-time major winner back.

Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka ended his four-year LIV Golf stint in December 2025, with his last event under the Saudi-backed league coming in August. The PGA Tour rulebook mandates a one-year ban for players attached to “unauthorized” leagues.

Many expected August 2026 to be the earliest he could return. Likely Wyndham Clark, too. But the PGA Tour decided otherwise.

The Returning Member Program changed everything. The pathway applies to golfers who left the Tour for more than two years but secured a major win in the last four seasons. Koepka qualifies, and now he tees it up at Torrey Pines on January 29.

Such a rapid and sudden re-entry of Koepka has seemingly reopened old wounds for many. Although many are eager to see one of the sport’s biggest stars compete again, for some players, it feels like the past has been brushed aside far too quickly. Even more so because several golfers felt that they had missed out on an opportunity to make money by joining LIV. 

Amid this chaotic scenario, Brooks Koepka is left in a dilemma. As he is bothered about how he would be welcomed back by his rivals on the tour and fans.

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Brooks Koepka braces for mixed reactions from peers

While on one hand, Koepka is overtly excited to resume his career as a PGA Tour pro, on the other hand, he is left extremely tense. However, he has no doubts about his form or how well he will perform. He is rather tense about the reactions he would be getting from his Tour peers, fans, and officials.

Koepka shared, “I’ve got a lot of work to do with some of the players. There’s definitely guys who are happy, and definitely guys who will be angry.” He further reflected on the fines imposed and added, “It’s a harsh punishment financially. I understand exactly why the tour did that — it’s meant to hurt. But it [his departure] hurt a lot of people.”

Koepka left the PGA Tour back in 2022 for LIV Golf, which led to a huge debate. Such a step from the five-time Major champion disheartened many, while many others were left disappointed. Now, as Koepka gears up to make an official return to the PGA on January 29, only time can reveal what the future holds for the former LIV golfer.