While it feels as though golf has seen absolutely everything over the last four years, there is one intriguing event involving the PGA Tour and LIV Golf which is yet to really play out.
Of course, so much of the talk surrounding the PGA Tour and LIV Golf since 2022 has concerned which players will jump to the latter. There has been all kinds of speculation over the years, with a number of major champions deciding to join LIV.
It does seem that most of the players who sign with LIV seem content with their decisions. However, with over 50 players signed up, it is inevitable that there will come a time when a big name decides that they would rather be on the PGA Tour.
Laurie Canter made history earlier this year as he became the first player to feature in a PGA Tour event after previously playing on LIV. The Englishman played at The Players Championship.
PGA Tour told it may soon face curious decision as LIV Golf star’s contract reportedly edges closer to expiring
Canter is an outstanding player – currently ranked 76th in the world – but he was not one of the superstar signings for LIV. He also did not leave the PGA Tour to make the jump.
So there will be plenty of interest to see which big name does return to the PGA Tour, particularly as contracts on LIV begin to run down.
And speaking on The Fried Egg Golf Podcast, Andy Johnson believes that Brooks Koepka could potentially be a candidate to return. He also suggested that it will be intriguing to see how he is treated by the PGA Tour if he does come back.
He said: “I believe the rumours are that his contract’s up with LIV. What does next year look like for Brooks?”
“He is exempt in majors for the foreseeable future. I would imagine if he doesn’t play on LIV, there will be a return to the PGA Tour. I’m very curious what that will look like. Could he be the player that they build the pathway back for, in terms of this is what you do?
“Brooks, he’s a fascinating character in the history of golf, just because of the dominance in majors and then the mediocrity given his level of talent and skillset in regular events. We’ve really never seen anything like it.
“I still think he could pick off another [major]. But I think the days of him being a consistent force are probably over.”
What Brooks Koepka said about the state of LIV Golf earlier this year
It is easy to forget that Koepka won twice on LIV last year. But he currently sits 29th in the season standings while he missed three cuts in the majors.
He has not registered a top 10 on LIV in his last seven starts. Meanwhile, Koepka came in for criticism after his frustration boiled over in Dallas.
It is interesting that Koepka did admit that LIV is behind where it should be earlier this year. He was not critical of the league by any means, but it seems rare for any of their players to drop the slightest hint that LIV should be looking to really improve.
Much may come down to how motivated Koepka is to return to the highest level again. He may be genuinely very happy on LIV with the lifestyle it provides, and simply be frustrated with the state of his game.
But Johnson is right to point out that it is going to be so intriguing to see what happens when contracts start to expire. It will be a real shot in the arm for LIV if, amid all of the speculation, their biggest names stick around.
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