Paul Azinger thinks he knows the real reason the PGA Tour allowed Brooks Koepka to return from LIV

Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

Brooks Koepka left LIV Golf at the end of last year and completed his return to the PGA Tour just a couple of weeks later.

Now, Paul Azinger has given his no-nonsense verdict on the Brooks Koepka saga, with the five-time major winner now a fully-fledged PGA Tour member once again.

Most people have backed Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour as a good thing for the game of golf.

However, there are plenty who do not agree with the stance taken by the PGA Tour.

How will Brooks Koepka perform during the 2026 PGA Tour season?

Could he really win this year?

Brooks Koepka reacts to his tee shot during the second round of Open de France
Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images

For example, Wyndham Clark suggested that Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour should have been accompanied by more repercussions.

Meanwhile, Azinger believes that the PGA Tour had other ideas in mind when allowing Koepka to be reinstated as a member.

Paul Azinger on the reason the PGA Tour allowed Brooks Koepka to return from LIV

When speaking to SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, Azinger shared why he believes the PGA Tour actually allowed Koepka to return.

I wanted to just kind of kick back and take it all in at first, Azinger explained.

I have to say, though, I was shocked when I read that (Koepka’s PGA Tour return), even though there was a lead up.

You know, I was reading about the possibility of that happening. I didn’t expect it.

But I didn’t want to react to it until I figured it out kind of in my head, and I got a little more kind of the inside scoop.Brooks Koepka of the United States plays a practice round prior to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2025 at The Old Course

But really, I think the strategy they used was to cut the head off the snake, which they believe is LIV.

You know, it was a strategic move by the Tour. This is new leadership now, Monahan’s gone, and we have new leadership.

This is a for profit business, completely different game, and I totally understand it. I really feel like, of all the guys, he was the one guy (Koepka).

And then we had to wait days and days to see what DeChambeau and Rahmbo were going to do, and then finally, they took a stand.

But, boy, for a few days there, I think all of us thought this could be the end of LIV. I mean, the guys could come flooding back.

That is a fair assessment from Azinger.

Let’s face it, if Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm did decide to return to the PGA Tour, LIV Golf would have been stopped pretty much dead in its tracks.

Azinger shares how he would’ve reacted to the Koepka news if he was still playing

The 1993 PGA Championship winner is well known for sharing his unfiltered opinions on the current state of the professional game.

How many majors do you think Brooks Koepka will end his career with?

He’s currently level with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Seve Ballesteros and Byron Nelson with five

Brooks Koepka lifts the US Open trophy after his victory in 2018
Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Azinger responded when asked how he would have felt about Koepka returning to the PGA Tour if he were actually still a playing member.

Now, if I’m a player and I stayed loyal, I would be thinking, ‘man’, Azinger admitted.

That would be ticking me off no end.

There are clearly many PGA Tour players who are thinking, ‘why on earth has Koepka been allowed to have his cake and eat it’?

However, as Azinger suggested, the PGA Tour were trying to bury LIV Golf by allowing Koepka a route back.

If another big-name player returns to the PGA Tour, will LIV Golf be able to sustain losing another star? Only time will tell in that regard.

Related Posts

Rico Dowdle’s pregnant GF Shar’e drops bold pregnancy photoshoot ahead of baby shower

Rico Dowdle and his girlfriend, Shar’e Harrison, are expecting a baby boy very soon and on Sunday, she shared a look at her recent maternity photo shoot….

Rico Dowdle’s pregnant GF Shar’e drops bold pregnancy photoshoot ahead of baby shower

The Seattle Seahawks did not just reward production when they handed Jaxon Smith-Njigba a record four-year, $168.6 million extension. According to Colin Cowherd, they paid for something…

“You’ve been a bench warmer.” “Wtf are you talking about”: NFL fans rip Emmanuel Acho for calling Leonard Fournette’s career “disappointing.”

Emmanuel Acho called his and Leonard Fournette’s NFL careers “disappointing” on his “Speakeasy” show on Monday, and fans were not happy with the comparison. The retired running…

Would Tom Brady fight at WrestleMania 42? WWE reporter reveals ongoing negotiations for NFL icon’s appearance

Former New England Patriots quarterback and NFL icon Tom Brady took the field for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic last week. During the lead-up to the event,…

“He’s friends with his dad”: Steelers insider predicts Mike McCarthy picking 57-TD college QB in 2026 NFL Draft

Mike McCarthy may be gearing up to select his quarterback of the future in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh sports radio host Andrew Fillipponi took to X…

“He needs Drake Maye-like transformation”: Browns insider warns Shedeur Sanders over team potentially drafting his replacement in 2027

Shedeur Sanders had a rookie year full of ups and downs with the Cleveland Browns in 2025. The quarterback began the season as a third-string option, but would…