The golf world is abuzz with the news of Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour, and Tiger Woods is among those who are thrilled to see the five-time major champion back in the fold. In an interview with ESPN, Woods expressed his enthusiasm for Koepka's decision to rejoin the tour, citing the benefits for fans and the sport as a whole. "It's incredible for all the fans," Woods said. "The fan initiative program that we did last year showed that fans want to see the best play against the best, and Brooks' return is a huge boost for the tour."
Koepka's return was made possible by the PGA Tour's new Returning Member Program, which allows players who have won a major or the Players Championship since 2022 to rejoin the tour under certain conditions. The program is seen as a significant development in the ongoing saga between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, with Koepka being one of the high-profile players to defect to the rival tour last year. However, with his return, Koepka will be subject to severe financial penalties and will have to earn his way back up to signature events.
"There's some punitive damages there, but it's a meritocracy; that's what makes our game so great," Woods said. "Brooks is going to play full-field events, and he has the ability to earn his way up to signature events. If he's good, he's good. If he plays great, he plays great. If he wins tournaments, he wins tournaments. There's no reason why we should hold him back."
Koepka is scheduled to make his return at the Farmers Insurance Open at the end of this month, followed by the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale the following week. His return is expected to generate significant buzz, and fans are eagerly anticipating his first tournament back on the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, other players who are eligible to return to the tour via the Returning Member Program, including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith, have opted to remain with LIV Golf.
While Woods is excited about Koepka's return, his own return to competitive play remains uncertain. The 50-year-old golf legend underwent his seventh back surgery in October to replace a disk in his lower back, and his recovery has been slow. Woods said he has been cleared to hit short- and mid-irons, but he is still a long way from being able to compete at the highest level.
"Whenever that time comes when I start hitting drivers and I start playing at home and start doing all the different things, I will have been away from the game for a year and a half," Woods said. "So I will be very rusty. And so there's a lot that goes into it, so my prep is going to have to be a little bit different from my other procedures I've had in the past. I've had to stay a lot more patient with myself. I get sore faster, I guess because I'm 50. And that happens."
For now, Woods will focus on supporting his Jupiter Links team in the TGL, which had a disappointing debut season in 2025. "I don't think we can play as bad as we did," Woods said. "There's only way to go, and it's up. We were the Bad News Bears and don't want to be the Bad News Bears 2." Unfortunately, Jupiter Links lost their match on Tuesday, 8-3, but Woods remains optimistic about the team's prospects.
The return of Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour is a significant development in the world of golf, and fans are eagerly anticipating his first tournament back. With his return, the tour gains a major talent and a significant boost in star power. As for Tiger Woods, his own return to competitive play remains uncertain, but he will continue to support his Jupiter Links team in the TGL and provide guidance and expertise to the PGA Tour as a member of the Future Competition Committee and the policy board.
Original: ESPN
Image: ESPN
Written by Npsports
