Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour has received a mixed reaction from his fellow pros. And one seems to be full of regret…
Hideki Matsuyama made a different decision to Brooks Koepka.
While Koepka accepted a nine-figure payday to join LIV Golf in 2022, Matsuyama has spent the past few years stubbornly resisting the league’s overtures so he can continue playing on the PGA Tour instead.
So when the news emerged that Koepka would be allowed to make an instant return from LIV to the circuit he left behind – albeit with some financial consequences – Matsuyama was left surprised.
The Japanese superstar, long viewed as a hugely attractive asset for LIV as they target Asian golf markets, greeted Koepka on the Torrey Pines driving range with a smile on Tuesday ahead of the American’s comeback at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Matsuyama’s issue is clearly not with Koepka, but rather those in the corridors of power at Ponte Vedra who welcomed the five-time champion back without much of an explanation.
“I think it’s pretty amazing that Brooks had the courage to make that decision,” the 2021 Masters champion told Golf Digest Japan. “But I’m puzzled that the PGA Tour didn’t explain anything to the players. At the very least, I didn’t know that such a rule was in place.”
Koepka is returning under the newly created Returning Members Program, which has been made available to LIV players who have won a major or The Players Championship since 2022.
The olive branch was therefore extended to Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith – though the trio have all signalled their intent to stay with LIV for at least another season.
Koepka’s punishments include a $5 million charitable donation, while he will not be allowed to earn any FedEx Cup bonus money or accept sponsor invites to Signature Events this year. He also cannot earn PGA Tour equity for the next five years.
Matsuyama, however, is confused that the PGA Tour has not imposed any kind of suspension on Koepka. The circuit bans golfers who are non-PGA Tour members who have taken part in a LIV event for 12 months, but Koepka’s case as a returning member was unique and a new pathway was formed.
“While there has been a financial hit, what about the non-monetary aspects?” Matsuyama added. “What happened to the rule that players who participated in LIV were not allowed to compete for a year? That’s what I’m thinking about more.”
Some big names, including Rory McIlroy, have praised the Tour for their flexibility in welcoming Koepka straight back into the fold, but Wyndham Clark shares similar sentiments to Matsuyama.
Like Matsuyama, the 2023 US Open champion also had a lucrative offer on the table to join LIV.
“I personally really like Brooks, and I think it’s ultimately really good for the PGA Tour,” Clark told the SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. “But also 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.
“And if you would have told me that I could have gone for a year-and-a-half, made a boatload of money and then be able to come back, play on the tour, I think almost everyone would have done that.
“At the end of the day, I want whatever is best for the PGA Tour, and I think if guys come back, especially top guys like Brooks, it’s only going to help the tour, which is ultimately going to help me.”
On Wednesday, Patrick Reed also dropped a huge LIV Golf bombshell by announcing he too will be quitting the league to pursue a PGA Tour return.