USA Today via Reuters
Jun 11, 2024; Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA; Jon Rahm speaks to the media during a press conference at the U.S. Open golf tournament at Pinehurst No. 2. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 11, 2024; Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA; Jon Rahm speaks to the media during a press conference at the U.S. Open golf tournament at Pinehurst No. 2. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program shifted the entire landscape of professional golf. Brooks Koepka shocked everyone by leaving his massive LIV contract to rejoin the PGA Tour this month through this program, and it created a giant bridge for others like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith to move back. Now, all eyes turn to the remaining giants of the LIV Golf to see their next move.
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Jon Rahm recently broke his silence regarding the sudden departure of his former rival and peer. Rahm made his stance very clear during a tense press conference at the LIV preseason event today. “I’m not planning on going anywhere,” Rahm said. “I wish Brooks the best, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m focused on my team and the league this year, and hopefully we can repeat as champions.”
Bryson DeChambeau also commented on Koepka’s reinstatement: “I was surprised. “I didn’t know he’d [Brooks Koepka] be willing to give that much back. That’s everybody’s prerogative. Everybody has their own wants and needs. Ultimately, for me, I see a tremendous value in Charles [Howell], Paul [Casey], and [Lahiri]….Even though things can always be better, they can always be worse, too. So we’re very lucky to be here. We’re very fortunate to have these opportunities to play golf at this level around the world.”
Jon Rahm:
“I’m not planning on going anywhere. I wish Brooks the best and as far as I’m concerned I’m focussed on my team and the league this year, and hopefully we can repeat as champions.”
— Michael McEwan (@MMcEwanGolf) January 13, 2026
To qualify under the Returning Members Program, players must not have been PGA Tour members for at least two years. They also have won one of the four major championships, the Players Championship, between 2022 and 2025. Plus, they have to apply for their reinstatement before the Feb. 2 deadline.
The rules also mentioned that the applying members are unable to access the equity in the new PGA Tour Enterprises for five years from the 2026 season to 2030. Returning members will also not receive any payment from the FedExCup Bonus Program for the complete 2026 season. Koepka agreed to these terms and will pay a $5 million fine to return to the Tour.
Rahm’s contract, which was signed before the 2024 season, reportedly has multiple years remaining. The Spaniard wasn’t surprised by these recent developments. Most recently, during an appearance on the SubPar Podcast, Rahm shared that although he doesn’t have any clue how Koepka will make his way through the Tour, he will definitely make it. And Koepka, who never played 30 events in a year, would play the events he likes.
Bryson DeChambeau, by the way, had the most exact prediction after Keopka’s exit. He said, Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour will open a ‘ slippery slope’. DeChambeau has one year remaining on his LIV contract. He will be going into 2026 with an unchanged squad.
“I have no idea what’s going to happen in a year,” DeChambeau said about his future in LIV. “But what I can tell you is that we’ll do everything possible to make it make sense for both sides.”
While Brooks Koepka decided to take the bridge back, and others like Rahm and DeChambeau are standing their ground, fans are waiting to see what Cameron Smith’s opinion is on this ongoing drama.
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Cameron Smith has a very different story to tell about his own path forward
Cameron Smith joined the breakaway league in August 2022, shortly after his historic win at St. Andrews. He was the world number two back then, but his ranking took a giant dive since that day. Without official world points, Smith fell to a career-low of 333rd by late 2025. His performance in the major championships also suffered greatly as he missed four consecutive cuts last year. This downward trend made many think he would jump at the chance to return to the tour.
But the reality was the exact opposite. Despite the heavy slide in the rankings, the Aussie star refuses to look back at his old life. “To be honest, you know, I decided to come out here and spend more time at home, and I’m not giving that away. So, I’ll be on LIV for the years to come,” Smith said recently. He values the reduced schedule and the extra time he spends at home.
Greg Norman’s successor is perfectly happy with his life on his own terms and showed everyone he still has the magic touch during a recent trip back home. He finished a solo second with a -14 total, one shot shy of the leader at the Crown Australian Open against a very strong field last December. Exciting changes are also happening within his all-Australian squad, Ripper GC. The team is reportedly bringing in Elvis Smylie to replace the veteran player Matt Jones for the upcoming season.
But staying with LIV means he’s still away from the Official World Golf Rankings points. Though the official OWGR may soon allow LIV players to accrue ranking points, but who knows how things will change further? And it will be an ultimate factor that will determine the remaining LIV players’ future in the majors and the upcoming 2028 LA Olympics.
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