LIV Golf Players Address Idea of Returning to PGA Tour After Landmark Deal

SOTOGRANDE, Spain — Under the framework agreement announced on June 6 between the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia a pathway back for LIV golfers to come home is part of the agreement.

How, when, or—more importantly—how much it will cost them to return is part of the transition from the framework to a definitive agreement.

Section 5 of the framework agreement, labeled "Player Status," says the Tours will work cooperatively and in good faith to establish a fair and objective process for any players who desire to re-apply for membership.

But do LIV golfers want to return?

“I think you can see the way the schedule has played out how everyone has played in majors,” Brooks Koepka said of playing LIV's limited 14-tournament schedule. “Phil second, I got second at the Masters. Good showing by a bunch of LIV guys at the PGA, and then the U.S. Open, as well. I think the schedule has been fantastic. It’s definitely helped us in the preparation for the majors, as well. “

At the Masters this year, 54-hole leader Koepka and Phil Mickelson tied for second and Patrick Reed tied for fourth.

The PGA Championship at Oak Hill found Koepka on top, with Bryson DeChambeau in a tie for fourth and Cameron Smith T9.

And two weeks ago, at the U.S. Open, Smith was fourth and Dustin Johnson tied for 10th.

With his win at the PGA Championship last month, Koepka shut down any questions if playing on LIV would diminish a player’s game or skills. At the same time, other LIV golfers including Johnson, Smith, DeChambeau, Reed and Mickelson have backed up their thesis that playing LIV Golf is a springboard into majors.

“I’m excited for the future,” Johnson said of playing LIV Golf. “I think with this agreement, the only thing that’s going to happen is LIV is going to get even better than what it is now, which it’s already great. I’m happy exactly where I am, and I’m definitely not looking to play more golf than I’m playing now, that’s for sure.”

At 43, Sergio Garcia’s motive for moving away from the PGA Tour wasn’t solely about money, but also about playing a lot less golf.

So, for him, coming back to either the DP or PGA Tours and playing a full schedule would not be attractive.

“If everything goes according to plan like we expect it to be, I will not be playing much at all on the PGA Tour because I don’t plan on playing 30 events a year,” Garcia said. “That’s not something that is in my mind at the moment. Obviously, as things settle and we know exactly where we all stand, then we can make decisions. But I wouldn't think so. Not at the moment, I guess.”