Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley reflects on what Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour means for men’s golf and explains why it would be a mistake to write off LIV Golf’s future despite losing one of its star names…
The news about Koepka is not surprising and shows how professional golf is now prioritizing business and making money over collective opinion as a member organization.
This decision was made within the PGA Tour by a subcommittee representing PGA Tour players and Chief Executive Brian Rolup. They have the right to make decisions on behalf of the collective and do what they believe is best for the PGA Tour. It is clear that they feel this decision and its caveats are, firstly, in the best interest of business and, secondly, somewhat fair to other members who did not go to LIV Golf.
If that were the members’ first decision, it would include everyone who was at LIV, but this is clearly aimed at players who move the needle from a business perspective.
Knowing how tours work and how it often feels impossible to agree completely, it’s likely this decision will be divisive among players and fans, and the different views on it are all understandable.
The PGA Tour has come up with measures to prioritize high-profile players. Because they feel they are adding value to their business. At the same time, it tried to appease the broader membership of the PGA Tour’s player group by getting tougher on lesser-known players.
It also emphasizes that the future path between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is not one of coordination, but one of mutual competition. Golf is big business now, and both tours want their top players to be on their side as key people, people who move the needle, and Koepka is one of them.
The amnesty until Feb. 2 is clearly a competitive attack on LIV Golf aimed at poaching more high-profile players away from the PGA Tour, which feels the sport is weakened by the departure of one of its star performers.
There’s no doubt that Brooks will get the most out of this situation. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, and he has already been paid a huge sum by LIV. That would more than make up for his potential loss, based on an algorithm the PGA Tour devised regarding the future value of the stock he would have to part with.
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Let’s take a look back at the best of Koepka’s five major championship wins, including three at the PGA Championship.
“LIV Golf should not be underestimated”
A lot of people think this is the beginning of the end for LIV Golf, but I don’t think that’s the case. They have been weaker in the past than they are now, but there are a lot of positive things happening from their side.
They seem to be on the verge of gaining world ranking points, and moving to a 72-hole event will help the players better prepare and take on more challenges heading into a major championship. We also have new TV product launches on the horizon, backed by a new and experienced TV production leadership team recently installed.
This organization has been underrated in the past, but even with Koepka gone, it shouldn’t be underestimated now. In many ways they are stronger than ever, rather than weaker.
Television viewership remains low, but with access to a wider range of media platforms now available, the situation may improve. They have the advantage and influence that any company would be keen to do business with Saudi Arabia as a potential sponsor, and the list would be long. Also, participation in several events has been good.
It’s clear that they have unlimited funds and will continue to invest in their products. People look at Koepka’s departure and think it’s a big blow to LIV Golf. In reality, this is not the beginning of a domino fall, but a situation.
Koepka fell outside the world’s top 200 during his time with the LIV Golf League and left in December.
It would be surprising to see what other top players the PGA Tour targets after Koepka. Cameron Smith seems very happy with LIV Golf and playing in some tournaments in Australia, but Jon Rahm has longer left on his contract than Koepka.
The big winner here is Bryson DeChambeau, who currently has a lot of leverage in contract negotiations with LIV Golf, but we don’t know if he has a strong desire to return to the PGA Tour anyway. He seems very happy with his independence and is one of the few LIV golfers who continues to do well in the majors.
DeChambeau isn’t immune to the sparse schedule, frequent travel, playing weekly team events, and LIV Golf’s frenzied events that prevent him from winning majors. He also used this move to grow his brand on YouTube.
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Highlights of the thrilling final round of the 2024 US Open as Bryson DeChambeau defeated Rory McIlroy to win his second major title
As long as the door remains open for LIV Golf players to play on the DP World Tour, the DP World Tour will remain a good option even for players without “elite” status. When that door closes, those players are in trouble and it’s a big risk for players starting their careers.
It’s clear from the decisions the PGA Tour has made that they don’t care about the players below the pecking order who went to LIV. If you are not an elite player, returning to the PGA Tour is not easy.
We’ve learned that if the PGA Tour needs to bend its own rules to help business, or find loopholes in the rules that go against what has been said publicly in the past (remember there was initial discussion about a possible lifetime ban), then they will change their position in the interest of business.
Who are the big winners in the turmoil in golf over the past four years? The players, especially the elite players. Just as the Bosman decision shifted power in soccer from clubs to players, LIV Golf and its funding from Saudi Arabia caused a seismic shift from tours to players.
Top players have confirmed that there is always a way to make an exception if you are an elite player. Koepka’s return makes clear that there is now fierce competition among the golf tours and that it will continue for years to come.
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