World golf goes from earthquake to earthquake. The last earthquake was unleashed at the end of the year by the decision of one of its great stars, the revolutionary Saudi League, and to request a return to the American circuit. It is the first time that a great figure of the groundbreaking competition takes the path back and the PGA Tour has welcomed him with open arms and in the process has opened the door to the reincorporation of other stars such as Jon Rahm.
The American circuit announced this Monday that Koepka can return home thanks to special conditions it has established for such a case. Winners of a major or The Players between 2022 and 2025 can regain their membership. The offer remains valid until February 2, a unique window, and in addition to Koepka, only Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith could take advantage of it among those who are enlisting in LIV today. Smith, The Players and the British Open that same year; and DeChambeau, who was just now negotiating the conditions of his renewal with LIV, won the 2024 US Open. “This is a unique and defined window, and does not set a precedent for future situations. Once that door closes, there is no promise that this route will be available again,” the PGA Tour explained in a statement about the return conditions.
Koepka, who will already play the upcoming Farmers and Phoenix Open, must donate five million dollars to charity, will not be eligible for the PGA Tour’s profit distribution among its members derived from the Share Participation Program for five years (he will stop earning between 50 and 85 million, according to the circuit’s own calculations), he must play 15 tournaments on the American circuit this year and will have limited access to the most select events regardless of his classification or not for the majors. These are on the table from now until that announced February 2.
The Basque, winner of two majors (2021 US Open and 2023 Masters), has already completed two seasons in the Saudi League and in both he has won the individual classification. However, his performance in the majors has not been the best since he changed sides, perhaps hindered by a less competitive environment in LIV: a smaller participation of players, tournaments with three rounds and 54 holes instead of four and 72, absence of court, music on the course during the tournaments… The same Spanish player publicly admitted that his collection of rankings among the 10 best in the Saudi events had less value due to the lesser competition. Rahm left the American circuit despite having expressed his loyalty to the PGA Tour and signed in December 2023 for LIV, convinced by a contract of around $500 million. Now he is flirting with the daisy leaves again: continuing in the Saudi League or returning to where he became number one in the world and the winner of two majors.
The PGA Tour has continued to sanction him, sportingly and financially, for his departure to LIV. The Saudi League is now at a time when part of its nature has changed to go from 54 to 72 holes and thus opt to obtain world ranking points. It is also studying increasing the percentage of golfers who lose their category each season by up to 20%, a system of promotions and relegations that increases meritocracy and is closer to classic golf.
The new season of the Saudi League begins on February 4 in Riyadh, with a stop in Valderrama between June 4 and 7, and the board does not stop jumping into the air. The negotiations between both parties to sign peace and unify the calendar have led nowhere after many months without an agreement beyond good intentions.
The next move Rahm, DeChambeau and Cameron Smith make will be crucial. The earthquake continues.
