Everything that golf notables said about Brooks' return to the PGA Tour
Brooks Koepka announced last Monday that he would be returning to the PGA Tour via the new Returning Members Program.
Last Monday’s news sent shockwaves around the golf world, and over the last few days golfers have begun to speak publicly on Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour.
Tiger Woods
"It's incredible for all the fans … the fan initiative program that we did last year, what they wanted, they want to see the best play against the best. And for Brooks to want to come back, a year early, and he was able to do that."
“(Koepka is) going to play full-field events, and he has the ability to earn his way up to signature events. If he’s good, he’s good. If he plays great, he plays great. If he wins tournaments, he wins tournaments. There’s no reason why we should hold him back.”
"There are opinions from both sides. We're not going to satisfy everyone. We know that. But the whole idea is to make our tour better than what it was. With Brooks' addition to the Tour, it…makes it a better place to play. Now, with players who have earned equity, and there are four more years of potential earning of equity for these players, the fact that they own the Tour, if Brooks plays, it puts more money in their pocket. It's a win for everyone."
Rory McIlroy
"This is great as it gets Brooks back to where he belongs. He is one of the best players in the world, and anything that makes the traditional tours stronger is a good thing in my book."
Wyndham Clark
“I mean, I personally really like Brooks, and I think it’s ultimately really good for the PGA Tour, but also, you know, a guy that had an opportunity to go to LIV, it’s kind of frustrating that he’s able to get the cake and also eat it.”
“If you could have told me that I could have gone for a year and a half; make a boatload of money and then come back and play on the PGA Tour, I think almost everyone would have done that.”
via SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio.
Collin Morikawa
“I think a lot of these guys out here this week should be happy about it, and it’s just, like I said, more competition.
“If you’re really ready to compete, you know, here we go.“
via Golf Channel before the Sony Open
Meanwhile, the other three LIV players eligible for the Returning Members Program spoke at LIV media day last Tuesday about potentially joining the program and leaving LIV Golf.
Bryson DeChambeau
"I'm contracted through 2026, so excited about this year.”
DeChambeau also posted this photo to his Instagram shortly after the PGA Tour announced the Returning Members Program earlier this week.
Jon Rahm
"Yeah, I'm not planning on going anywhere, so very similar answer to what Bryson gave. I wish Brooks the best, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm focused on LIV for this year and hoping my team can repeat as champs."
Cameron Smith
“I mean, I really don’t have any thoughts. I haven’t had a lot of time to think abou tit. But I know I’m here to stay. I’m here to support LIV.”
“I think we do many great things, particularly in Australia, and I can’t wait for this league to keep growing.”
“I made a decision to come out here and I stand by it.”