Paige Spiranac Reacts To The PGA Tour's Controversial Decision
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac will keep an eye on Brooks Koepka on Jan. 29 when he participates in the Farmers Insurance Open.
It was announced this Monday that Koepka, a five-time major champion, will compete in a PGA Tour event for the first time since signing with LIV Golf in 2022. He revealed in late December that he was leaving the Saudi-funded league. Now, he's got a chance to re-establish himself as a contender on the PGA Tour.
"I’ve got a lot of work to do with some of the players," Koepka said, via The Associated Press. “There’s definitely guys who are happy, and definitely guys who will be angry. It’s a harsh punishment financially. I understand exactly why the tour did that — it’s meant to hurt. But it (his departure) hurt a lot of people. If anyone is upset, I need to rebuild those relationships."
Paige Spiranac watches her teammates putt on the No. 6 green during the 2023 Kaulig Companies Championship Pro-Am at Firestone Country Club, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Akron, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
For those wondering how Koepka will be allowed to compete in the Farmers Insurance Open later this month, it's because the PGA Tour has a Returning Member Program. He's eligible for this program because he won the 2023 PGA Championship.
"Koepka is being afforded such a swift return to the PGA Tour by taking part in its newly introduced Returning Member Program. The program is only available to players who have been away from the tour for at least two years, as well as those who have won one of the four major championships or Players Championships between 2022 and 2025," Josh Carpenter of Sports Business Journal wrote. "Based on that criteria, only Koepka, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith are eligible to return. Those players also only have a short window — Jan. 12 through Feb. 2 — to opt in for the 2026 season."
Spiranac shared Carpenter's work on social media along with this message: "Great article explaining the details of the Brooks Koepka PGA Tour return!"
Great article explaining the details of the Brooks Koepka PGA Tour return! https://t.co/yA7392P3Nf
— Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) January 12, 2026
Only golfers who have been away from the PGA Tour for at least two years and have won either the Masters, Open Championship, PGA Championship, Players Championship or U.S. Open from 2022-2025 are eligible to return under this program.
"The criteria ensure that those who have achieved the highest accomplishments in the game are eligible to return to the PGA TOUR now, where the best players in the world compete week in and week out," a press release from the PGA Tour states.
It'll be fascinating to see how Koepka handles his return to the PGA Tour later this month. We'll also get to see him at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale from Feb. 5-8.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Jan 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
