Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour after he left LIV Golf was a swift one to say the least.
Now, Shane Lowry and Sergio Garcia have both reacted to the PGA Tour‘s decision to allow Koepka back.
The five-time major champion officially left LIV Golf on December 23rd.
Then just a couple of weeks later, Koepka was immediately reinstated to the PGA Tour.
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Many believe that the PGA Tour made the right decision – one that was actually the best for the game as a whole.
Meanwhile, others aren’t quite as happy with the outcome.
So what do Lowry and Garcia – two players on opposite sides of the divide – make of the ongoing situation?
Shane Lowry delivers Brooks Koepka verdict
Lowry often offers really honest answers whenever he is asked about current topics in the professional golfing world.
And the Irishman didn’t disappoint when speaking to Golf Digest Middle East this week.
He said: “I met Brooks the other day. I was practicing at home and he was there. He didn’t give much away, but I kind of got it from him.
“I knew he was coming and like, I’ve thought about it over the last few days.
“It’s not that I don’t care, but like about three or four years ago when all this started kicking off, I spent a year on the PAC (Player Advisory Council) on the PGA Tour sort of worrying about what everyone was doing.
“Wondering what was going on, what was happening, and kind of, it was a bit miserable, to be honest.
“About, you know, two years ago, I really made a conscious decision to not really care about what anyone else was doing, and just worry about my own golf.
“I think it’s great for Brooks that he’s back on the PGA Tour. I think the fact that he was able to get back so quickly is obviously good for him and, you know, the smaller events on the PGA Tour that he plays in, you know, will benefit from that.
“So, yeah, maybe it is good for the PGA Tour.“
Fair play to Lowry there.
Perhaps more professional golfers should adopt the Irishman’s attitude towards the PGA Tour and LIV Golf rivalry.
Sergio Garcia reacts as Brooks Koepka rejoins the PGA Tour
Garcia spoke to David Rumsey from Front Office Sports about Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf.
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The Spaniard was asked if he was surprised by Koepka’s move.
“It doesn’t surprise me very much to be honest,“ Garcia said.
“I mean, I was talking to my wife and some friends, and we figured out that they would do something to make sure that that he didn’t have to have a year off from the Tour, but that’s fine.
“I mean, it’s great. I hope he enjoys it. I hope he does well.
“I hope he, you know, he plays better than he played here last year. Obviously, he wasn’t very happy with the way he played and it showed.
“And, you know, hopefully he’ll be fine, and, you know, we’ll keep doing our thing.“
The main thing is that there is now a clear window of opportunity for players to return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf, if they choose to do so.
However, it remains to be seen whether the likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau follow in Koepka’s footsteps.
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