Brooks Koepka in TGL? Why Rory McIlroy 'would love him to play'

Brooks Koepka’s dance card is pretty free after bolting from LIV Golf, where he’s played for the last three years.

Could he make his next start as a fill-in for TGL? Rory McIlroy, one of the founders of the tech-infused indoor golf league, which launched its second season on Sunday, was asked if Koepka would be welcomed to play TGL.

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“I would say that's up to people that are more powerful and more important than me. But I am one of the founders. I would love him to play,” McIlroy said in a post-match press conference after his Boston Common team’s 7-5 victory on Friday in its season debut. “If there's space on a team for Brooks to come and play, it only makes what we're trying to do stronger. He's a five-time major champion. He's been one of the best players of our generation. If he decides it's something that he wants to do, I'm sure we'll find a way to include him.”

The PGA Tour is a part owner of TGL and no LIV players participated in its inaugural season. In fact, Tyrrell Hatton originally was scheduled to be on McIlroy’s Boston Common team but was replaced when he moved to LIV.

After much speculation, LIV announced on Dec. 23 that Koepka, who was a high profile signing in 2022, would no longer be competing on LIV in 2026 despite having one year remaining on his contract. He also relinquished being a team captain. Koepka is exempt into all four majors but it is unclear where else he intends to play in 2026. The PGA Tour has been mum on the length of Koepka’s suspension other than issuing a brief and ambiguous statement.

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“Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success," the Tour announced. "The PGA Tour continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.”

Could the Tour bend the rules to bring back Koepka sooner? McIlroy’s comments about TGL came on the same day that a podcast dropped where he said he wouldn’t object to LIV stars returning to the Tour.

“They've made the money, but they've paid their consequence in terms of the, you know, you talk about the reputation and some of the things that they've lost by going over there. If it made the overall Tour stronger to have Bryson DeChambeau back and whoever else I would be okay with it, but again, it's not just me, and I recognize that not everyone's in my position, so, you know, it would be up to the collective group of PGA Tour members to make that decision,” McIlroy said.

Koepka struggled on LIV in 2025, recording just two top-10 finishes and failing to win. He finished 31st out of 54 players in the standings. His poor play carried over to the majors where he missed the cut at three of the four majors. Could TGL be the bridge back to Koepka’s return? Time will tell.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Brooks Koepka in TGL? Why Rory McIlroy 'would love him to play'