LIV Golf appears to be keeping three of its biggest stars despite watching Brooks Koepka return to the PGA TOUR.
Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith - the only other LIV golfers eligible to return to the PGA TOUR under the circuit's new Returning Member Program - each announced their intentions to stay with LIV Golf this year.
"I'm contracted through 2026, so excited about this year," DeChambeau said at Tuesday's LIV captains press conference, according to Golf.com's Josh Schrock.
"I'm not planning on going anywhere, so very similar answer to what Bryson gave," Rahm added.
"I made a decision to come here, and I stand by it," Smith told Golf Digest's Evin Priest.
The PGA TOUR announced Monday that the return protocol is open until Feb. 2, but only for golfers who have won a major championship or The Players between 2022 and 2025. Only Koepka, DeChambeau, Rahm, and Smith meet the criteria.
The TOUR added that it's also "a one-time, defined window."
"Once the door closes, there is no promise that this path will be available again," PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp said.
Koepka must forfeit his stake in the TOUR's Player Equity Program for five years (an estimated $50 million to $85 million in potential earnings) and make a $5-million charitable donation as part of his reinstatement.
"I was surprised," DeChambeau said of Koepka's exit, according to Ben Parsons of Today's Golfer. "I didn't know he'd be willing to give that much back. That's everybody's prerogative."
