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Legendary golfer Tom Watson offered a first-hand look at the new program that paved the way for Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour.
Koepka left LIV Golf in December 2025. At the time of his departure, the three-time PGA Championship winner had about a year remaining on his contract with the Saudi-backed tour.
Koepka requested reinstatement from the PGA Tour and quickly won approval under the tour’s new returning member program. Watson, a two-time Masters champion who participated in the teeing ceremony Thursday morning at Augusta National, expressed strong criticism of the process.
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Brooks Koepka of the United States reacts on the fifth green during the third round of the 2026 Valspar Championship at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 21, 2026 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
“The Tour made a decision to go back on what it promised when the players left for LIV. They felt the compensation it paid was good enough,” Watson said at the 90th edition of the Masters.
Watson then laid out what he believes should happen in the future.
“I thought LIV players, when they left, were supposed to be banned for life. If I was commissioner, that’s what I would do. I would say if you’re done with your contract with LIV Golf, if you want to play the PGA Tour again, you come back and you have to play the Korn Ferry Tour for a year to qualify.”
BROOKS KOEPKA’S ATTORNEY PROVIDES INSIGHT ON GOLFER’S LIV DEPARTURE AND RETURN TO PGA TOUR
Koepka discussed his return to the PGA Tour in a social media post.
“When I was a kid, I always dreamed of competing on the PGA Tour, and I am just as excited today to announce my return to the PGA Tour,” Koepka said in a statement published on X on January 12.
“I also understand that this decision results in financial sanctions, and I accept them,” his statement continued.
He agreed to five years of participation in the player equity program — a penalty of up to $85 million, according to tour CEO Brian Rolapp. The professional golfer has also pledged $5 million in charitable donations and will have to earn his place in the tour’s flagship events.
Brooks Koepka reacts after missing a putt on the eighth hole during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
Several LIV golfers – including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith – have rejected the PGA Tour’s controversial offer. Hideki Matsuyama and Wyndham Clark, who allegedly passed on financially advantageous LIV deals, said Koepka’s decision left them conflicted.
Matsuyama told Golf Digest Japan that he was “shocked” by Koepka’s return, adding that he respected the decision but was discouraged by what he saw as a lack of communication from the tour.
Watson joined the PGA Tour in 1971, winning eight majors during his storied career.
Tom Watson smiles as he walks past the Claret Jug on the first tee during the Celebration of Champions Challenge during practice for the 150th Open Championship on The Old Course at St Andrews on July 11, 2022 in St. Andrews, Scotland. (Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR)
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He also suggested that the LIV defections were a fundamental violation of the fundamental principles of the sport.
“When the players left, they violated the No. 1 rule that we really had here, which is to protect the sponsors,” he said. “Sponsors need players. They need names so they can promote their tournaments. If players play wherever they want without a conflicting event rule – where you had to ask permission from the PGA Tour to play in a tournament opposite a PGA Tour tournament – the sponsors would be hurt. I think we all get that.
“When the players left for LIV, I think it was pretty much over. They chose to go there for the money, which is good. But coming back on the tour, I thought it was a failure. But apparently it’s not.”
Watson last played competitively at the 2019 Senior Open Championship and continues to be an honorary starter to open the Masters for a fifth consecutive year.
