Watson Criticizes PGA Tour for Allowing Koepka's Return From LIV Golf

Legendary golfer says LIV defectors should have been banned for life from the PGA Tour.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:41pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, geometric shapes and colors, conceptually representing the complex issues surrounding professional golfers moving between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.Legendary golfer Tom Watson's criticism of the PGA Tour's handling of LIV Golf defectors reflects the ongoing tensions and debates over the future of professional golf.Augusta Today

Legendary golfer Tom Watson offered a scathing critique of the PGA Tour's decision to allow Brooks Koepka to return to the tour after leaving for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit. Watson said the tour should have banned LIV defectors for life and forced them to earn their way back through the Korn Ferry Tour, rather than allowing a quick reinstatement like Koepka received.

Why it matters

Watson's comments highlight the ongoing tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, as well as the broader debate over whether players who left for the rival league should be welcomed back with open arms. The decision to allow Koepka's return has been controversial, with some arguing it undermines the tour's stance against LIV Golf.

The details

Koepka left LIV Golf in December 2025 with roughly one year remaining on his contract. He quickly applied for and was granted PGA Tour reinstatement under the tour's new Returning Member Program. Watson believes the tour should have banned LIV defectors for life and forced them to earn their way back through the developmental Korn Ferry Tour for at least a year.

  • Koepka left LIV Golf in December 2025.
  • Koepka applied for and was granted PGA Tour reinstatement in early 2026.

The players

Tom Watson

A legendary golfer who won 8 major championships during his storied career on the PGA Tour. He continues to serve as an honorary starter at the Masters tournament.

Brooks Koepka

A 3-time PGA Championship winner who left the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit in 2025, but was recently allowed to return to the PGA Tour under its new Returning Member Program.

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What they’re saying

“The Tour ​made a decision to renege on what they promised when the players left for LIV. They felt ‌that the compensation that he's paid is good enough.”

— Tom Watson, Legendary Golfer

“If I was commissioner, that's what I ​would do. I'd say if you're finished with your contract with LIV Golf, if you want to play ​the PGA Tour again, you come back, and you must play the Korn Ferry Tour for ⁠a year to qualify for it.”

— Tom Watson, Legendary Golfer

What’s next

The PGA Tour has not indicated if it will reconsider its policy on allowing LIV Golf defectors to return to the tour.

The takeaway

Tom Watson's strong criticism of the PGA Tour's decision to allow Brooks Koepka's quick return from LIV Golf highlights the ongoing tensions and debates over how the tour should handle players who left for the rival league. Watson believes the tour should have taken a harder stance by banning LIV defectors for life and forcing them to earn their way back through the developmental Korn Ferry Tour.