PGA Tour return? Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau remain with LIV Golf for the time being

The golf world is facing a new acid test. With the introduction of the "Returning Member Program", the PGA Tour has attempted to bring back the prodigal sons of LIV Golf. But while heavyweight Brooks Koepka has already made his PGA Tour return official, the charm offensive is bouncing off other superstars. A look at a divided sport in which loyalty, money and sporting home are being renegotiated.

The comeback: Brooks Koepka's PGA Tour return is set

It was the news that once again shook the already fragile balance in professional golf: Brooks Koepka, five-time major winner and one of the most prominent faces of LIV Golf, is turning his back on the young competitive series. From the end of January, he will once again officially tee it up as a member of the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open.

But the return to the bosom of the US Tour is not a free act of mercy. In order to be eligible to play again, Koepka accepted draconian conditions. In addition to a payment of 5 million US dollars for charity, he will forgo shares in the Tour's lucrative equity program for the next five years and bonus money from the FedEx Cup for 2026. It is a high price to pay for his return to the PGA Tour - a price that Koepka is obviously willing to pay in order to compete with the world's best on a permanent basis.

"Returning Member Program": The new bridge between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf

Behind the change is the newly created "Returning Member Program". Those responsible at the PGA Tour have thus created a bottleneck that is only intended for an extremely exclusive group: players who have won a Major or the Players Championship between 2022 and 2025.

The Tour's message is as clear as it is uncompromising: this is a one-off offer. Anyone who misses the deadline of February 2, 2026 will find themselves facing closed doors. Brian Rolapp, CEO of the PGA Tour, emphasized unequivocally that this window does not set a precedent and there is no guarantee that this path to a PGA Tour return will ever be reopened.

Why Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith continue to back LIV Golf

Despite the enticing (albeit expensive) offer, the Tour reaped a rejection from the other three candidates - Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith. During an LIV Golf press conference in Florida, the stars made it clear that they still see their future in the Team League.

Australian Cameron Smith made his position particularly clear. He referred to his quality of life and the importance of the events in his home country: "I made my decision to come here and I stand by it. I've made my bed and I'm going to sleep in it. I'm happy where I am," Smith told Golf Digest.

Reigning LIV champion Jon Rahm also dismissed the speculation: "I have no plans to go anywhere. I wish Brooks the best. As far as I'm concerned, I'm concentrating on the league and my team this year."

Bryson DeChambeau: The poker game between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour

Bryson DeChambeau remains interesting. He was officially dutiful, but let it be known that his decision is primarily linked to his contract, which runs until the end of 2026. "I'm under contract until 2026, so I'm looking forward to this year," explained DeChambeau.

He further fueled the rumor mill on social media by asking his followers with a picture in front of an emergency exit: "What would you do?". Industry experts suspect a clever calculation behind this: DeChambeau knows his value to LIV Golf - especially due to his enormous reach on YouTube. According to a report in the English Telegraph, there are rumors of renegotiations in the region of half a billion dollars. For him, the theoretical option of a PGA Tour return could above all be a lever to drive his market value with Saudi backers to astronomical heights.

Special case Pat Perez: PGA Tour return with obstacles

Away from the big major winners, there is another person: Pat Perez. The 49-year-old, who has hardly played a sporting role at LIV recently, was reinstated as a member of the PGA Tour at his own request.

However, Perez is a reminder that not every returnee is welcomed back with open arms. As he does not fall under the privileged program for major winners, he is subject to regular disciplinary sanctions. Although he is a member again, he is not allowed to take part in any tournaments for the time being. His real goal should be the PGA Tour Champions anyway. As soon as he turns 50 in March, he could be eligible to compete there based on his career winnings - provided the Tour lifts his ban in time.

Conclusion: A divided golf world

The golf world remains a house divided. Although the PGA Tour has shown flexibility with the new program and won back one of its lost stars in Koepka, the great "exodus" from LIV Golf back to the Traditions Tour has failed to materialize. The door remains ajar until February 2. After that, it remains to be seen whether the rifts between the Tours are deeper than ever - or whether Koepka's PGA Tour return was merely the first domino to set off a delayed chain reaction.