Rory McIlroy responds to Brooks Koepka’s PGA Tour return from LIV Golf | Golf | Sport

Rory McIlroy has welcomed Brooks Koepka‘s decision to leave LIV Golf and rejoin the PGA Tour. The Northern Irishman says his fellow five-time major champion is returning to where he belongs, three-and-a-half years after his departure.

Koepka is due to make his comeback through a new Returning Member Program. Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Jon Rahm could follow suit; however, they have, for now, pledged their allegiance to the Saudi Arabia-backed league, making Koepka the sole player scheduled to return at the Farmers Insurance Open later this month.

Back in the summer of 2022, McIlroy labelled players defecting to LIV as “duplicitous”, while Koepka branded them “sellouts” mere months before his own switch. However, relations between the pair have since thawed, with McIlroy now embracing the former world number one’s homecoming.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “This is great as it gets Brooks back to where he belongs. He is one of the best players in the world, and anything that makes the traditional tours stronger is a good thing in my book.”

McIlroy also suggested that LIV is losing momentum as it enters its fourth year. He added: “It’s not as if they made any huge signings this year, is it? They haven’t signed anyone who moves the needle, and I don’t think they will. I mean, they could re-sign Bryson for hundreds of millions of dollars, but even if they do, it doesn’t change their product, does it? They’ll just be paying for the exact same thing, and they’ve lost Brooks, so they’ll be paying out all this money…”

Earlier this year, McIlroy discussed at length the possibility of Koepka returning. Speaking to The Palm Beach Post, he said: “Does it make sense if Brooks wanted to play the PGA Tour again to get him back as soon as possible? Absolutely. What Brooks has done in the game of golf would be good for everyone to have him back.” He added: “I think everyone understands the value that Brooks would bring to his hometown event or any event on the PGA Tour. He’s a five-time major champion.”

In a statement announcing his return, Koepka said: “When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the PGA Tour, and I am just as excited today to announce that I am returning to the PGA Tour. Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this opportunity especially meaningful to me.

“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. I also understand there are financial penalties associated with this decision, and I accept those.”

As part of their reinstatement, returning players must make a charitable donation of $5million (£3.7m). They are also barred from earning from the Player Equity Program for their first five years back and will not be eligible for any payments from the FedExCup Bonus Program this season.

In his concluding remarks, Koepka expressed his gratitude to his fans: “Finally, I want to thank the fans. Your support means more to me today than ever before, and I look forward to seeing you soon at the Farmers Insurance Open and WM Phoenix Open.”