count Tiger Woods among people thrilled to see brooks koepka Back on the PGA Tour.
Speaking a day after the announcement of Koepka’s return through the new Returning Member program, Woods called it “incredible” for the PGA Tour and said he was glad the five-time major champion would return this season.
“It’s incredible for all the fans,” Woods told ESPN Tuesday night before his Jupiter Links team’s TGL match against New York. “The fan initiative program that we did last year, what they wanted was, they wanted to see the best play against the best. And Brooks wanted to come back a year ago, and he was able to do that.”
Koepka announced his exit from LIV Golf last month. Then on Monday, the PGA Tour announced he would be allowed to return under a one-time returning member program that only applies to players who have won a major or Players Championship since 2022 (Koepka won the 2023 PGA Championship). Players will have until February 2nd to choose to do so, and if they do, it will be under certain conditions and with severe financial penalties.
Bryson DeChambeau, john rahm And cameron smith They are also eligible to return to the PGA Tour through the program, but all three said Tuesday they will remain on LIV.
Meanwhile, Koepka is set to make his comeback at the Farmers Insurance Open later this month. He is also expected to play in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale next week.
Woods, who is chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee and also a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board, acknowledged that work on the Tour’s path back program took place over the holidays and into the new year, leading to Monday’s announcement.
He said, “There’s some punitive damages, but that’s a merit; that’s what makes our game so great.” “(Koepka) is going to play in full-field events, and he has the ability to make his way to the signature event. If he’s good, he’s good. If he plays well, he plays well. If he wins tournaments, he wins tournaments. There’s no reason why we should stop him.”
As far as Woods’ return to competitive play goes, it’s less clear.
The recently turned 50 had his seventh back surgery on Oct. 10 to replace a disc in his lower back that was causing pain and mobility issues. He said on Tuesday night that he is currently allowed to hit only short and mid-iron.
“Whenever the time comes where I start hitting drivers and start playing at home and doing all the different things, I’ll be away from the game for a year and a half,” said Woods, who will last compete in a PGA Tour event at the Open Championship in July 2024. I have to be more patient with myself, I think I get sick more easily because I’m 50. And it happens.”
For now, Woods said he will focus on his Jupiter Links team, which went 1-4 in the TGL’s first season in 2025.
“I don’t think we could have played as bad as we did,” he said. “There is only one way out and to move forward. We were the ones spreading bad news and don’t want to be the 2nd ones spreading bad news.”
Jupiter Lynx lost Tuesday’s match 8-3.
