Former Masters champion Tom Watson expressed strong frustration with the PGA Tour’s decision to offer a straightforward return path to LIV Golf players, including Brooks Koepka.
Watson joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player for the ceremonial opening tee shots ahead of the first round at The Masters at Augusta National. Following the shots, he criticized the PGA Tour’s handling of Koepka’s application to rejoin the circuit.
Watson’s Key Criticisms
Watson stated, ‘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. I thought the LIV players, when they left, they were supposed to be banned for life.’
He added that, if he were commissioner, players finishing LIV contracts would need to compete on the Korn Ferry Tour for a year to requalify for the PGA Tour.
Watson highlighted a core violation: ‘When the players left, they violated the No. 1 rule that we really had out here, which is to protect the sponsors.’
He dismissed the $5 million charitable contribution required for Koepka’s return as insufficient punishment and advocated for lifetime bans.
New PGA Tour Policy
The policy allowing high-profile LIV defectors back stems from the recently launched ‘Returning Member Program’ under PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. Koepka utilized this path, facing only financial penalties.
The program extends to other major winners like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith, though they remain with LIV Golf for now.
Separately, former Masters champion Patrick Reed pursues reinstatement after a one-year suspension, ineligible for the program.
