LIV Golf responded to Brooks Koepka’s reinstatement to the PGA Tour with a statement that trumpeted its “unchanged” vision to grow the sport of golf.
LIV’s statement also said its desire for “an open ecosystem” in the sport applied to all players, “not just a limited few.”
The response came after it was revealed that the PGA Tour is opening a limited-time window for players who defected to LIV to come back, called the Returning Player Program.
Only players who have won a Players Championship, Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, US Open or Open Championship between 2022-25 are eligible to return; only Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm of Spain and Cameron Smith of Australia fit those criteria.
A five-time major champion, Koepka decided to leave the LIV circuit with its worldwide footprint last month, wanting to be closer to his family in the US.
Meanwhile, Rahm (below) will remain with LIV Golf, the Spanish golf outlet Ten Golf reported.
The 31-year-old Spaniard made his LIV Golf debut in February 2024. As a two-time major winner, Rahm is eligible for the PGA Tour’s new member reinstatement program.
The former world number one won the US Open in 2021 and the Masters in 2023.
As the captain of LIV Golf’s Legion XIII, he has won two individual tournament titles (both in 2024).
LIV Golf stars Cam Smith and DeChambeau also meet the criteria to return to the PGA Tour, having won a major between 2022-25 and spent at least two years away from the tour.
DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf recently that he is still making a decision about his future.
“I’m not going to share too much, but the conversations (on his future) are in process. We have to get to a place where both parties have a good understanding of one another,” DeChambeau said.
“It is getting to a place that makes sense for both sides. …You never know. Life throws curveballs and, obviously, we saw (Koepka leave) and that was quite a shock to a lot of people and something that, you know, it is what it is.”
While CEO Brian Rolapp’s letter to players promised the PGA Tour would gather “the world’s best players to compete on the PGA Tour week in and week out,” LIV Golf attempted to hold firm.
“From the outset, LIV Golf has championed an open ecosystem and freedom, for all,” the statement said.
“Not just for a limited few. One that supports players’ rights to compete across various platforms, reinforcing the believe that the growth of the game is best served when the game’s best players are empowered to seek the most competitive environments around the world.
“LIV Golf’s vision remained unchanged — to grow the game of golf globally –and that vision gains momentum across the broader golf landscape, the capacity to deliver on it continues to strengthen by expanding pathways and opportunity beyond any single institution or interest.
“As the world’s golf league, LIV Golf continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness on a global scale.
“Long LIV Golf”