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Golf
PGA Tour will consider paths back for LIV players
TL;DR
The PGA Tour is exploring ways to allow LIV Golf players to return, according to CEO Brian Rolapp. This comes amid reports of potential funding issues for LIV Golf, although its CEO insists they have support for the current season.
Key points
- PGA Tour considering pathways for LIV players to return
- LIV Golf CEO claims support from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund
- Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed left LIV Golf to return to PGA Tour
Mentioned in this story
PGA TourLIV GolfBrian RolappBrooks KoepkaPatrick ReedPublic Investment Fund
The PGA Tour will consider additional pathways to bring back LIV Golf players who might want to return to the circuit, CEO Brian Rolapp said Monday.
While reports surfaced last week that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is on the verge of pulling its funding, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said his league has the PIF's support through this season.
"Listen, we're reading all the same headlines you're reading," Rolapp said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday. "We don't know what's going on over there. We know those guys are under contract. We'll respect that."
Five-time major championship winner Brooks Koepka and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed left the LIV Golf League before this season.
Koepka and LIV Golf agreed to end his contract early. He came back to the PGA Tour in January under the returning member program, which allowed LIV golfers who had been away from the PGA Tour for at least two years -- and who won the Players Championship or one of the four majors (the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship) since 2022 -- to return under certain conditions and with severe financial penalties.
Koepka agreed to forfeit any player equity shares for the next five years and won't be eligible for the $100 million FedEx Cup bonus program in 2026. Koepka, at the PGA Tour's request, also agreed to make a $5 million donation to charity.
Reed couldn't reach a new contract with LIV Golf. He is expected to return to the PGA Tour on Aug. 25 when his one-year suspension ends.
"Brooks came back on to the tour because he made a phone call and said, 'Look, I'm out of my contract, I'm ready to come back,' so we're thinking about it," Rolapp told McAfee. "We'll react when we have an opportunity to react, but right now we're focused on making the PGA Tour better.
"But listen, I've said it publicly and I'll say it again: I'm interested in whatever makes the PGA Tour better. That's what my job is. That's what I'm interested in doing. That has no limit. That's how I'll focus on it."
If the LIV Golf League doesn't receive additional funding and folds, it's unclear how long stars such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and others will have to wait to return to the PGA Tour.
DeChambeau, Rahm and Cameron Smith were eligible to return to the tour under the returning member program, but the deadline expired Feb. 2.
Q&A
What pathways is the PGA Tour considering for LIV Golf players to return?
The PGA Tour is looking into additional pathways for LIV Golf players who wish to rejoin, as stated by CEO Brian Rolapp.
What is the current funding situation for LIV Golf?
Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may be pulling its funding, but LIV Golf's CEO claims they still have support for this season.
Who are the notable players that have left LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour?
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed are among the notable players who have left LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour.
