The PGA Tour is exploring additional avenues to facilitate the return of LIV Golf players who may wish to rejoin the circuit, according to CEO Brian Rolapp on Monday.
Despite recent reports indicating that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund may be on the brink of withdrawing its financial support, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil affirmed that the league continues to have backing from the PIF for the current season.
“We are aware of the same news stories you are,” Rolapp stated during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday. “We are uncertain about the situation there. We understand that those players are under contract, and we will honor that.”
Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, and 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed departed from the LIV Golf League prior to this season.
Koepka and LIV Golf mutually agreed to terminate his contract early. He returned to the PGA Tour in January through the returning member program, which permitted LIV golfers who had been absent from the PGA Tour for a minimum of two yearsβand who had won either the Players Championship or one of the four majors (the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and Open Championship) since 2022βto rejoin under specific conditions and with significant financial penalties.
Koepka consented to relinquish any player equity shares for the next five years and will not qualify for the $100 million FedEx Cup bonus program in 2026. At the PGA Tour’s request, he also agreed to contribute $5 million to charity.
Reed was unable to negotiate a new contract with LIV Golf. He is anticipated to return to the PGA Tour on August 25 when his one-year suspension concludes.
“Brooks returned to the tour after making a phone call and stating, ‘I’m out of my contract, I’m ready to come back,’ so we are considering it,” Rolapp told McAfee. “We will respond when the opportunity arises, but for now, our focus is on enhancing the PGA Tour.”
“I have publicly stated this before and will reiterate: I am interested in anything that improves the PGA Tour. That is my responsibility. That is my focus. There are no limits to that.”
If the LIV Golf League fails to secure additional funding and ceases operations, it remains uncertain how long prominent players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and others will have to wait before returning to the PGA Tour.
DeChambeau, Rahm, and Cameron Smith were eligible to return to the tour under the returning member program, but the deadline passed on February 2.
When Koepka made his return, Rolapp characterized the program as a “one-time, defined window” and “not a precedent for future situations.”
“I believe LIV has done what the AFL did for the NFL years ago, perhaps similar to what the USFL did for the NFL in the past,” remarked Rolapp, a former NFL executive. “It essentially creates competition that can enhance the overall product. I think whenever competition arises, it prompts you to identify your strengths and weaknesses.”
“I believe LIV has highlighted certain areas where the PGA Tour could improve, how we can enhance the experience for fans, how we can better serve professional golfers, and how we can improve our relationships with television partners. That is a positive outcome.”
