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Opinion

Brooks Koepka has proved that the PGA Tour were absolutely right to let him return immediately

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
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It was impossible to not be intrigued to see how the PGA Tour would handle Brooks Koepka’s decision to leave LIV Golf at the end of the 2025 season.

Brooks Koepka became the first superstar name to decide to leave LIV Golf and seek a return to the PGA Tour. His decision to leave LIV put those at Ponte Vedra in a difficult position.

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While the PGA Tour has attempted to take the strongest stance possible, Koepka is one of the players who seemed worth moving the goalposts for.

The PGA Tour has been vindicated for welcoming Brooks Koepka back

It was clear that the launch of the Returning Member Program was simply a way to justify allowing Koepka to come back. But it seemed to be the best possible solution from Brian Rolapp, with the door briefly opened for the likes of Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith to return.

And Koepka’s attitude since coming back suggests that the PGA Tour made the right decision.

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Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Koepka was not able to play in the signature events unless he qualified. Meanwhile, he agreed to a number of financial penalties to appease some of the players who were understandably angered by those who jumped to LIV.

But Koepka seems to have got his head down. And he has boosted a number of events that do lack star power.

Koepka hands another PGA Tour event a big boost

The five-time major champion was prepared to spend the entire day on site on Thursday at the RBC Heritage. He was the first alternate and would have got the chance to play had anyone withdrawn at the last minute.

No one did.

Meanwhile, Koepka has now signed up for the Myrtle Beach Classic. The event will take place at the same time as the Truist Championship.

Of course, Koepka is not playing these events out of the kindness of his heart. He is looking to regain his status at the very highest level of the PGA Tour as soon as possible.

It is also a stage of the season where those not in the signature events are going to struggle for reps.

Most casual golf fans will probably not be able to name a previous winner of the Myrtle Beach Classic. But they are much more likely to take an interest in what happens now that Koepka is involved.

There may not have been the fireworks that some fans would have hoped for when Koepka did return, but his gradual improvement may still reap plenty of rewards for the PGA Tour throughout the year anyway.