Billy Horschel gives his thoughts as the PGA Tour launches the Returning Member Program

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Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour has now been made official, with the pathway clear for him to play in the Farmers Insurance Open later this month.

After Koepka’s departure from LIV Golf was confirmed in December, attention quickly turned to Brian Rolapp and the PGA Tour. Under previous rules, a suspension would have likely awaited him before any potential return.

But on Monday, it was revealed that Koepka will come back under the new Returning Member Program – and he might not be the only one.

The Returning Member Program is available for anyone who won a major or The Players Championship between 2022 and 2025. There are conditions attached – in Koepka’s case, he’ll need to donate $5 million to charity as part of his reinstatement.

Billy Horschel weighs in on the PGA Tour’s new Returning Member Program

It means that Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau could also return should they wish to, as long as they look to come back before February 2nd.

But speaking on the Golf Channel, Billy Horschel insisted that this program offers the best way forward for all parties.

“I don’t need any skin for them to come back. I know some guys may still have some animosity and still have some ill will towards them. I think what the PGA Tour has put in place is enough of a hit for those guys coming back to understand the damage that they may have done when they left and how some of these players felt,” he said.

“At the same time, with LIV and some of these guys leaving, we had to make changes to the PGA Tour and become a better tour, evolve, things that I was very adamant about behind closed doors for a number of years before LIV even came about. For me, I’m okay with everything that is put in place.

“I’ve not talked to a lot of guys. I think some guys are probably still going to feel like there should be more and they shouldn’t be allowed to play right away. But selfishly, which is unusual for me, to think about the PGA Tour, I have equity in the PGA Tour and I want that equity to grow, and giving these guys the option to come back to the PGA Tour is a no-brainer.

“It creates value for the PGA Tour. It creates a better competitive product and that’s what we’re trying to do on the PGA Tour.”

PGA praised for new member rules as Koepka return confirmed

Brian Rolapp’s decision makes it clear that Koepka won’t be able jump ahead of anyone currently on tour.

If Koepka wants into signature events this year or beyond then he will need qualify like everyone else on tour; sponsor invites are off limits too. He also won’t be eligible for any bonus money should he reach this year’s FedEx Cup playoffs.

The five-time major winner can only play if fields are expanded or through regular qualification routes – something that could actually help those on alternate lists get their own opportunities too.

Koepka can only play if fields expand or through regular qualification routes – something that could actually help those on alternate lists get their own opportunities too.

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