Brooks Koepka has applied for reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership, less than one month after walking away from the LIV Golf League.Â
The five-time major champion had one year remaining on his deal with the Saudi-backed circuit when he decided to walk away from the league on December 23rd.
The shock departure was branded ‘amicable’ in a statement released by LIV Golf with the golfer said to be ‘prioritizing the needs of his family and staying closer to home.’
Now, less than a month on from his dramatic exit, Koepka has taken his first steps in a potential return to the PGA Tour after applying for reinstatement.
Koepka did not renew his membership prior to the 2022-23 season, meaning that he is required to reapply to formally begin a disciplinary process.Â
A source told the Daily Mail that Koepka informed the PGA Tour about his intention to leave LIV Golf before his announcement at the end of December.Â
Professional golfer Brooks Koepka has applied for reinstatement of his PGA Tour membershipÂ
The five-time major champion walked away from Saudi-backed LIV Golf last month
A full statement from his management at the time read: ‘Brooks Koepka will be stepping away from LIV Golf.Â
‘He is deeply grateful to Yasir Al-Rumayyan (the governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, (LIV CEO) Scott O’Neil, and the LIV Golf leadership team, his teammates and the fans.Â
‘Family has always guided Brooks’ decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home. Brooks will continue to be a huge supporter of LIV Golf and wishes the league and its players continued success. Brooks remains passionate about the game of golf and will keep fans updated on what’s ahead.’Â
Shortly after he revealed the news, the PGA Tour released a cryptic message.Â
‘Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success,’ read the PGA Tour statement.
‘The PGA TOUR continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.’
The five-time major winner famously left the PGA for LIV in 2022 for a reported $100 million, although his final take from the rival circuit remains unclear.Â
Koepka was one of several high-profile golfers to take the Saudi’s money to leave the PGA Tour, which subsequently suspended the defectors.
Koepka was one of several high-profile names to take the Saudi’s money to leave the PGA Tour
The PGA Tour released their own statement shortly after Koepka’s announcement last month
Shortly after he announced his decision to leave LIV Golf, analyst Brandel Chamblee claimed that Koepka should not be allowed to rejoin the Tour without facing a penalty.
‘Allowing Brooks Koepka to return to the PGA Tour with no consequence, would undermine the very meritocratic foundations that make the PGA Tour legitimate,’ he said.
‘This is not about retribution, it is about precedent. If Koepka can leave, helping to destabilize the ecosystem by joining LIV golf, and then return instantly because of talent or popularity— the message is clear: rules are for the replaceable, not the exceptional. This is corrosive.’
Chamblee accused Koepka of being ‘a marquee legitimizer’ in the chaos caused by the establishment of LIV Golf.
It remains unclear as to when Koepka would be permitted to return to the Tour.Â
The sudden exit comes as Koepka and his wife, Jena Sims, navigate a period of intense personal grief following the loss of their second child.
Sims, 36, revealed the couple was devastated after learning at 16 weeks that their unborn baby’s heart had stopped beating.
Sharing the news on Instagram, the model wrote: ‘This is a grief no parent is ever prepared for. We are devastated, but remain hopeful to give Crew a sibling one day’.
The couple, who wed in 2022, are already parents to two-year-old son Crew, whose traumatic arrival six weeks premature in 2023 saw him spend 20 days in intensive care.
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LIV golf star launches bid to return to PGA Tour after walking out on controversial Saudi-backed league