Brooks Koepka has rejoined the PGA Tour through its Returning Members Program, a move that Cameron Smith, a prominent LIV Golf player, supports despite rejecting a similar offer himself. Smith emphasized his commitment to LIV while wishing Koepka well in his decision. The development comes amid broader shifts in professional golf, including LIV's recent awarding of Official World Golf Ranking points.
Brooks Koepka's decision to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour has sparked discussions within the professional golf community. The five-time major champion agreed to financial penalties and reduced perks as part of the PGA Tour's Returning Members Program, which also extended invitations to other LIV players like Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, and Jon Rahm. However, Smith, driving across Florida when informed by his agent, firmly declined the offer.
"Brooks is a good friend and if he thinks he’s going to be happier and have a better life out there, I 100 percent back his decision," Smith said. "I made the decision for that reason coming out here." Smith, who joined LIV after winning The Open in 2022, remains committed to the league, citing his work with Ripper GC and support from Golf Australia. He described the PGA Tour's overture as surprising, noting that for years it seemed impossible to return.
Rory McIlroy, competing at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, viewed the returns of Koepka and Patrick Reed— the latter earning his way back through DP World Tour performances—as strengthening the PGA Tour. "I’m all for anything that makes the PGA Tour stronger and those two guys coming back make the PGA Tour stronger," McIlroy said. He suggested that expiring LIV contracts and the PGA Tour's revamped 2027 schedule, including signature events, might entice more players.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf continues to evolve, recently switching to 72-hole formats, which secured Official World Golf Ranking points for top-10 finishers—a move endorsed by Jon Rahm but questioned by DeChambeau for deviating from the league's original 54-hole model. Elvis Smylie, winner of LIV's Riyadh opener, benefited immediately, rising 56 spots to No. 77. Sergio Garcia acknowledged the points as a step forward but criticized the top-10 cutoff as an "unwritten rule" that could harm players long-term.
Smith, reflecting on his 2025 form slump—including seven missed cuts outside LIV and no major weekends—insists his challenges stem from golf's fickleness, not motivation loss. He aims to regain winning form at LIV Adelaide, where the event drew over 100,000 fans last year.
