PGA Tour commissioner says Returning Member Program not under consideration

The PGA Tour announced on Tuesday that it is not planning to implement a Returning Member Program that would allow players who left for LIV Golf to return to the Tour. Commissioner Brian Rolapp told reporters, "No, currently there's no current plans for [the] Returning Member Program like you saw earlier this year." The league introduced a Returning Member Program in January, citing fan research that indicated a desire to see top players compete more frequently and interest from non-Tour players in returning. Under the program, eligibility required participation in an unauthorized tournament, a minimum two-year absence from the PGA Tour, and at least one major championship win between 2022 and 2025. Applications were accepted from Jan. 12 to Feb. 2 for the 2026 season, with a requirement to play in at least 15 co-sanctioned events and a $5 million charitable contribution. Four former Tour members—Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith—were offered the chance to rejoin under the program, and only Koepka accepted. Analysts estimate Koepka could face financial penalties of $51-85 million because he will not qualify for the player equity program until 2031 and will miss this year’s FedEx Cup bonus. LIV Golf’s future remains uncertain after the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund announced it was withdrawing its funding. LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said the league has an agreement with a lead investor and expects to finalize terms in the coming weeks, aiming to secure financing through 2027. The 2026 LIV season concluded a week early after the scheduled team championship in Michigan was cancelled, marking the second cancellation of the year following a postponed event in New Orleans. LIV Golf, founded in 2021, launched its first season in 2022 as an alternative to the PGA Tour, signing several high-profile players to substantial contracts.