Brooks Koepka will return to the PGA Tour under a new scheme in January

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka will return to the PGA Tour at the end of January under the New Returning Members Program, following his departure from LIV Golf.

The 35-year-old American controversially left the PGA Tour to join the Saudi Arabia-backed series in 2022 and has won five events over four seasons.

In December, Koepka announced he was leaving the lucrative breakaway league despite having one year remaining on his contract, and he recently applied for a PGA Tour membership.

“When I was a kid, I always dreamed of competing on the PGA Tour, and today I’m absolutely excited to announce my return,” said Koepka, who has agreed to waive any payments from the FedExCup Bonus scheme through the 2026 season.

“I believe in where the PGA Tour is headed with new leadership, new investors and an equity program that gives players a meaningful ownership stake.”

Koepka’s desire to return appears to have presented a major dilemma for the PGA Tour, as rules stipulated that he would not be eligible to play on it again until August — a year after his last LIV appearance.

However, he will now compete in the Farmers Insurance Open, held at Torrey Pines from January 29 to February 1, after previously being offered a route back to the PGA Tour.

Only players who have been absent from the PGA Tour for at least two years and won the Players Championship or a major within the previous four seasons are eligible under the terms of the newly announced initiative.

In a letter to fans, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp explained that the program would only be open for the 2026 campaign and was “a response to a unique set of circumstances.”

“We will continue to aggressively pursue anything that enhances the fan experience and makes the PGA Tour stronger,” Rolapp said.

“This is part of our commitment to the fans, who expect the best players in the world to compete on the PGA Tour week after week.”

Koepka, who won his third U.S. PGA Championship title in 2023, has also agreed to make a $5 million charitable contribution and has already committed to playing in the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale from Feb. 5-8.

Returning PGA Tour members are expected to participate in at least 15 sponsored and sanctioned tournaments in 2026.