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LIV golfers commit to staying put after Brooks Koepka goes back to PGA Tour
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Brooks Koepka could have returned to the PGA Tour after a stint at LIV Golf, however do not count on the Saudi-backed league’s different largest stars to hitch him.
Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith all dedicated to staying put once they spoke to reporters at a preseason press convention on Tuesday.
“I had no thought, no concept that that might occur.” DeChambeau stated. “No thought what the penalties could be. Proper now I’ve a contract. I am trying ahead to seeing what we will do that 12 months at LIV Golf.”
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Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm stroll to the eighth inexperienced throughout the first spherical of the Memorial Event at Muirfield Village Golf Membership on June 2, 2022. (Adam Cairns/The Columbus Dispatch)
“I’ve determined to return right here and spend extra time at dwelling, and I am not giving that away. I shall be at LIV for years to return,” added Smith, who received the 2022 Open Championship shortly earlier than formally committing to LIV.
DeChambeau and Smith every left in 2022, however Rahm was maybe the largest shock. As soon as very outspoken in opposition to LIV, he joined the league in December 2023.
In August 2024, he shut down rumors of purchaser’s regret to Fox Information Digital, and that seems to nonetheless be the case.
“I do not plan on going anyplace. An identical reply to what Bryson gave. I want Brooks the very best. So far as I am involved, I am specializing in the competitors and my workforce this 12 months, and hopefully we will repeat as champions once more,” Rahm stated.
Koepka’s choice got here weeks after he revealed he could be leaving the rival sequence.
“I want to thank my household and my workforce for his or her continued assist all through each step of my skilled profession,” he wrote on social media. “Once I was a child, I at all times dreamed of competing on the @PGATOUR, and immediately I am simply as excited to announce that I am returning to the PGA TOUR. Being nearer to dwelling and spending extra time with my household, this chance is particularly significant to me.
Brooks Koepka of america welcomes the gang to the fifth inexperienced throughout the first spherical of the British Open golf championship at Royal Portrush Golf Membership in Northern Eire, July 17, 2025. (Peter Morrison, file/AP picture)
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“I imagine in the place the PGA TOUR goes with new management, new traders and an fairness program that provides gamers a significant possession stake,” he continued. “I additionally perceive that there are monetary penalties related to this choice, and I settle for them.”
Koepka stated he deliberate to be on the Farmers Insurance coverage Open and the Waste Administration Phoenix Open within the coming weeks.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated Koepka’s return prompted the Returning Member Program for individuals who have left the corporate and should determine to comply with in Koepka’s footsteps.
Rolapp stated Koepka agreed to some circumstances upon his return to the PGA Tour. It included a “five-year forfeiture of potential fairness within the PGA Tour’s Participant Fairness Program, which represents one of many largest monetary impacts within the historical past {of professional} sports activities, with estimates that he might lose roughly $50-85 million in potential income relying on his aggressive efficiency and the expansion of the Tour,” Rolapp stated. Koepka can even make a $5 million charitable donation to a company but to be decided.
Brooks Koepka throughout the second spherical of the PGA Championship golf match at Quail Hole. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Pictures)
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Koepka grew to become the primary particular person to return to the PGA Tour after defecting to LIV.
Fox Information’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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