PGA Tour reinstate Koepka but hand him one of sport's 'largest financial repercussions' ever

[p]Former world number one [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/koepka-brooks/t0xtKfZH/"]Koepka[/a], who joined LIV in 2022, parted ways ‌with the Saudi-funded circuit last month and applied for PGA ‌Tour reinstatement after notifying officials "that his previous affiliation had concluded," PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said in a statement.[/p][p][b]The "Returning Member Program" is only open to golfers who have won a ⁠major or The Players Championship since 2022 and comes with what ‌Rolapp called "one of the largest financial repercussions in professional sports history."[/b][/p][p]Due ​to "strict limitations" that Koepka has agreed to, the five-time major winner faces a five-year forfeiture of ‍potential equity in the PGA Tour's Player Equity Program, representing an estimated $50-85 million loss depending on his performance and ‍tour growth.[/p][p]Koepka, one of ‌a number of high-profile golfers who accepted lucrative signing bonuses to join LIV, also agreed to make a $5 million charitable contribution with recipients to be determined jointly with the ⁠PGA Tour.[/p][p]The program also includes "heavy and appropriate limitations to both tournament access and potential earnings," though specific details weren't provided.[/p][p]Rolapp emphasised the program "will not take away playing opportunities from current members - fields will be expanded as needed." Other eligible players have until February 2 to apply for reinstatement.[/p][p]"This is a one-time, defined window and does not set a precedent for future situations," Rolapp warned. "Once the door closes, there is no promise that this path will ⁠be available again."[/p][p]The move reflects fan demand for ‌top competition, Rolapp said: [b]"One thing has been clear across each of those conversations - you all want the best players in the world competing against each other more often."[/b][/p][p]At the 2023 PGA Championship, Koepka became the first ⁠player to win a major championship while a ​member of LIV Golf.[/p]