Tiger Woods has publicly detailed his instrumental role in facilitating the return of major champion Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour, hailing the move as "incredible" for golf fans. The 15-time Major winner confirmed he helped broker a deal allowing Koepka to bypass a potential one-year suspension and compete at the Farmers Insurance Open later this month.
The Negotiation and Return Program
Woods, who chairs the PGA Tour's Future Competition Committee and sits on the policy board, explained the process began when Koepka submitted a formal letter to the Tour on December 23, 2025. This coincided with the player's announcement that he was leaving the LIV Golf league with a year remaining on his contract.
"We took that letter and then took it to both boards and tried to implement a plan that would be fair and adequate," Woods stated. He emphasised the intensive work required, noting, "We worked through the holidays. There was no days off. We just worked through it day after day after day."
The agreement was reached under the Tour's Returning Members Program, designed for elite players seeking to rejoin the circuit. To avoid the standard one-year ban, Koepka agreed to significant conditions.
Financial Penalties and Competitive Merit
The settlement for Koepka's return carries a heavy financial cost. The golfer has agreed to make a $5 million donation to charity and will be excluded from the lucrative Player Equity Program for the next five years. The PGA Tour estimates this exclusion could cost him between $50 million and $85 million.
Despite the punitive measures, Woods framed the return as a victory for competitive sport. "There's some punitive damages there, but it's a meritocracy; that's what makes our game so great," he said. "He is going to play full-field events, and he has the ability to earn his way up to signature events. If he's good, he's good... There's no reason why we should hold him back."
Woods was effusive in his praise for Koepka's talent, labelling him a "top-three-of-his-generation player." He argued that the return aligns with fan demand, referencing the Tour's fan initiative program. "What they wanted, they want to see the best play against the best. And for Brooks to want to come back, a year early, and he was able to do that."
Future Implications and Woods's Own Recovery
Koepka's path could set a precedent for other LIV Golf stars. The report notes that three other high-profile players—Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith—also have the option to return under the same program before February 2, 2026, though all three have publicly stated they will remain with LIV this season.
Separately, Woods provided a sombre update on his own golfing future. Having undergone what is believed to be his seventh back surgery in October 2025 to replace a disc, he admitted his recovery is slow. Speaking at a TGL match, he revealed he is currently only able to hit short and mid-irons and has no set return date to professional competition.
"Whenever that time comes... I will have been away from the game for a year and a half," Woods conceded. "So I will be very rusty... I get sore faster, I guess because I'm 50." His last professional appearance was at The Open Championship in 2024.
