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PGA Tour Reinstates Brooks Koepka Under One‑Time Return Program With Heavy Penalties

The tightly limited pathway carries steep financial limits and a Feb. 2 deadline for other recent major winners to apply.

Overview

  • Koepka will resume play at the Farmers Insurance Open on Jan. 29 and has also committed to the WM Phoenix Open the following week.
  • He must make a $5 million charitable donation, forfeit participation in the Player Equity Program for five years, and is ineligible for 2026 FedExCup bonus payouts, with the Tour estimating $50–85 million in potential foregone earnings.
  • The Returning Member Program is a one-time window restricted to winners of a major or The Players from 2022–2025, with Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith eligible to apply by Feb. 2.
  • Returning players must commit to at least 15 approved events in 2026, and signature-event access will be earned through performance rather than sponsor exemptions.
  • The Tour says tournament fields will expand to avoid displacing current members, and Koepka remains exempt into the majors through 2028 after his 2023 PGA Championship win.