"We get a probably top-3-of-his-generation player back that went to another tour, played over there, and was adamant about coming back here," Tiger Woods said about Brooks Koepka.
PALM BEACH GARDENS — Tiger Woods believes the PGA Tour is in a better spot with Brooks Koepka back as a member.
Woods, the Jupiter Island resident, spoke about Koepka's return after watching his TGL team, Jupiter Links Golf Club lose to New York Golf Club in its first match of the season on Tuesday.
"We get a probably top-3-of-his-generation player back that went to another tour, played over there, and was adamant about coming back here and got out early to come back," Woods said. "That says a lot about the PGA Tour, where we're headed, what we have done, what we accomplished and the players who have stayed and who have supported the Tour.
"It's a win for everybody."
Koepka, who lives in Jupiter, returned to the PGA Tour Jan. 12 after more than three years playing for LIV Golf. He is the first golfer of any significance to leave LIV, opting to forgo the final year of his reported five-year $125 million contract.
Woods, the Jupiter Island resident, is on the boards that determined penalties, both on and off the course, Koepka faces to return.
"We've been rolling through scenarios for a very long time," Woods said, anticipating the possible return to the PGA Tour by LIV golfers.
How long? Rickie Fowler, who plays for New York Golf Club, said Koepka has "wanted to be back playing with us for quite a while.
"The guys that were involved on the board level and the players that are involved, I think they did a great job of figuring out how do we make this happen," Fowler added. "Obviously we want him back and it not to feel like it was a closed door. I know he's excited. I think there's a lot of people that are excited about it."
Koepka, a five-time major champion, informed the PGA Tour on Dec. 23 of his intention to defect from LIV. Woods said the boards immediately started implementing a plan that would be reflect the adequate penalties and how he would be integrated back into the Tour.
Koepka is ineligible to earn equity from the Player Equity Program for the next five years, will not receive any payment from the FedEx Cup Bonus Program for the 2026 season and will make a $5 million charitable donation.
In addition, he is not eligible for Signature Events, but can play his way into those fields via full-field events and is not eligible for sponsor exemptions into full field events.
"Having another world-class player that these guys are going to try and beat, that's what the fans demanded," Woods said. "That's what the fans wanted for our fan initiative program, and I think we've addressed that."
Those involved worked through the holidays to make this happen as soon as possible.
"We're not going to satisfy every player," Woods said. "This plan was created for a very select few players that met the criteria."
The newly created Returning Member Program criteria was extended to players who have been away from the Tour for at least two years and have won The Players or a major championship during the 2022-2025 seasons.
The list includes Koepka, and LIV golfers Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith.
DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith said they will remain with LIV Golf … for now.
"We're not going to satisfy everyone," Woods said. "We know that. But the whole idea is to make our tour better than what it was. With Brooks' addition to the Tour, it does. It makes it a better place to play."
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tiger Woods says PGA Tour in better place with Brooks Koepka's return
Category: General Sports
