Brooks Koepka’s Return Shakes Viktor Hovland in Bold PGA Tour Showdown

Emerson Raymont

Published: February 4, 2026 10:40 AM ET

Brooks Koepka’s Return Shakes Viktor Hovland in Bold PGA Tour Showdown

The recent return of Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour has stirred controversy, especially among active players like Viktor Hovland. The dynamics of professional golf are shifting, and Koepka’s reinstatement after his stint with LIV Golf raises critical questions about the Tour’s integrity and policies.

Brooks Koepka’s Return to the PGA Tour

Brooks Koepka left the PGA Tour in 2022 to join LIV Golf but recently parted ways with the rival league. In December 2025, he applied for reinstatement under the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program. This special initiative, implemented in January 2026, allows players with significant recent achievements to rejoin the Tour under specific conditions.

Viktor Hovland’s Concerns

Viktor Hovland, a prominent player in the PGA Tour, has expressed mixed feelings about Koepka’s return. Ahead of the 2026 WM Phoenix Open, Hovland acknowledged that while the presence of former LIV players enhances the tour’s competitiveness, it complicates the Tour’s image.

Hovland won the 2023 FedEx Cup and $18 million bonus.
He captured titles at the Memorial and BMW Championship.
Rumors suggested LIV Golf had made lucrative offers to him, which he declined.

Hovland remarked, “You’ve said one thing for a long time and now we’re changing things.” He emphasized the challenges the PGA Tour faces with its evolving policies towards returning players.

Impact of Koepka’s Return

Koepka’s comeback might attract more viewership and create a competitive atmosphere, but it also raises issues of fairness. Critics, including analyst Brandel Chamblee, argue that allowing former LIV players like Koepka to return without significant penalties undermines the Tour’s earlier stance. Hovland is not alone in questioning this shift.

Hideki Matsuyama has also voiced skepticism. The Japanese golfer pointed out the inconsistency surrounding the rules that were originally put in place to discourage players from participating in rival tours.

Conditions of the Returning Member Program

The Returning Member Program is designed for top-tier golfers who left for unrecognized tours. To be eligible, players must:

Have won a Major Championship or The Players Championship within the last four years.
Not have been a PGA member for the past two years.

Koepka qualified for the program due to his previous accomplishments, whereas several other LIV golfers remain ineligible to return.

Koepka’s Performance Since Returning

Since his return, Koepka competed in the Farmers Insurance Open, finishing tied for 56th. Despite not placing highly, simply making the cut signaled a positive start for the golfer.

As Koepka prepares to compete again in the WM Phoenix Open, all eyes will be on how his presence influences the competitive landscape of the PGA Tour.