Could Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm leave LIV? PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program explained

Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour has sparked speculation over the futures of Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith on LIV Golf.

The players meet the same criteria as the five-time major winner after the PGA Tour confirmed his return on a dramatic Monday in golf.

It ends Koepka’s four-season association with the Saudi Arabian-backed series with the PGA Tour’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Rolapp outlining guidelines for others to follow him back.

After signing up for the terms of the Returning Member Program, Koepka will be able to play at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines from 29 January.

But could others join him, and what will this mean for LIV Golf and its future?

Koepka was released from his LIV Golf contract a year early last month and the 35-year-old begun the process of negotiating a return to the PGA Tour.

Players would usually serve a one-year suspension, a year from their last LIV Golf appearance, which was August for Koepka, but the new Returning Member Program has seen a number of new terms green light his route back, including:

While Koepka will be hit by what he describes as a “harsh punishment,” he has secured around $48m (£35.6m) in prize money during his four seasons on LIV, while also confirming on BS w/ Jake Paul that his signing bonus was “nine figures” after joining in 2022.

Yes, the PGA Tour has outlined the criteria for other players to join Koepka and return to the PGA Tour, with applications required from 12 January to 2 February, with 2026 the only season available, thus preventing players from indicating they will rejoin in 2027, which could impact DeChambeau with one more year remaining on his LIV contract.

The above criteria applies to Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith, but, crucially, leaves Phil Mickelson unable to reapply, with his PGA Championship victory coming in 2021.

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“From the outset, LIV Golf has championed an open ecosystem and freedom, for all," LIV Golf’s statement, posted on X, began. "Not just for a limited few. One that supports players’ rights to compete across various platforms, reinforcing the believe that the growth of the game is best served when the game’s best players are empowered to seek the most competitive environments around the world.

“LIV Golf’s vision remained unchanged—to grow the game of golf globally—and that vision gains momentum across the broader golf landscape, the capacity to deliver on it continues to strengthen by expanding pathways and opportunity beyond any single institution or interest.

“As the world’s golf league, LIV Golf continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness on a global scale.”

"When I was a child, I always dreamed about competing on the PGA Tour, and I am just as excited today to announce that I am returning," said Koepka. "I believe in where the PGA Tour is headed with new leadership, new investors and an equity program that gives players a meaningful ownership stake.

"I've got a lot of work to do with some of the players. There's definitely guys who are happy, and definitely guys who will be angry. It's a harsh punishment financially. I understand exactly why the tour did that -- it's meant to hurt. But it [his departure] hurt a lot of people. If anyone is upset, I need to rebuild those relationships.

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"The first week I'll be a little bit nervous. There's a lot going on than just golf. I'll be glad to put the first week behind me -- dealing with the media, dealing with the players, and then getting some of those tougher conversations. But I'm looking forward to it.

"Am I nervous? Yes. Am I excited? Yes. In a weird way, I want to have those conversations."