Brooks Koepka: The PGA Tour faces a big dilemma over the return of the five-time major winner

The tour will undoubtedly be remembered for how Hudson Swafford was treated.

The 38-year-old American was among the LIV’s first recruits in 2022, but suffered an injury and upon leaving the breakaway circuit, returned to the PGA Tour in late 2024.

Swafford, a three-time Tour winner who currently works in real estate, was given a one-year ban for each of the five LIV events he played in 2022 that conflict with regular PGA Tour events. He won’t be able to play on the PGA Tour again until 2027.

It was also part of the legal action taken by LIV’s teammates who sought a restraining order allowing them to play the 2022 PGA Tour Playoffs.

Those who sued during that frenetic and turbulent period generated significant anger among PGA Tour players, who felt that money that belonged to them as members was being funneled into the pockets of lawyers instead.

Ironically, the lucrative arrival of LIV has led to a significant increase in prize money among legacy demand as well as a $1.5 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group and the formation of PGA Tour Enterprises for profit.

Successful tour members now have ownership in the new company with 213 PGA Tour players sharing various amounts of the $1.3 billion in stock grants. It can be said that Koepka and his colleagues did them all a great financial favor.

“I don’t really think there’s any backlash right now,” Swafford told Sports Illustrated. “Everyone has moved on. Players are playing where they want to play and making decisions that are in their best interest.

“Especially when you see how much money the PGA Tour is playing right now.”

Speaking at a recent TGL internal event, Billy Horschel agreed. “Selfishly, getting a share of the PGA Tour now, bringing back Brooks, that adds value,” the American star said.

“So I think there has to be a process to figure out what brings these people back to life again.”