Tiger Woods Reacts to Brooks Koepka's PGA Tour Return After 5-Time Major Champion's LIV Golf Exit

Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and one of golf's greatest legends is excited about his return.

"I think it's incredible for the Tour," Tiger Woods said Tuesday during an interview with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt. "It's incredible for all the fans, the fan initiative program that we did last year and what they wanted, they wanted to see the best play against the best. 

"And for Brooks to want to come back a year early, and he was able to do that. We worked through Christmas and through the later part of the year with both boards and all the player directors and other players as well to make sure this is right."

Koepka announced Monday he was leaving LIV Golf and returning to the PGA Tour. 

While expressing his excitement, he also explained "I believe in where the PGA TOUR is headed with new leadership, new investors, and an equity program that gives players a meaningful ownership stake. I also understand there are financial penalties associated with this decision, and I accept those."

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp detailed some of those penalties in an open letter he wrote that also highlighted a Returning Member Program pathway for former PGA Tour golfers to return.

Those who won either the Players Championship or one of the majors since 2022 could return.

Koepka took advantage of that, but Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith all told reporters they plan to remain with LIV for the time being even though they also would have been eligible.

As for Koepka, he was required to make a $5 million charitable contribution and forfeit player equity shares for the next five years. He also will not be eligible to receive money from the $100 million FedEx Cup bonus program this year and must play his way into signature events without sponsor exemptions.

"It's a meritocracy, that's what makes our game so great," Woods said Tuesday. "And he is going to be playing full-field events, and he has the ability to earn his way up to the signature events. If he's good, he's good. If he plays great, he plays great. If he wins tournaments, he wins tournaments. There's no reason why we should hold him back."

Considering Koepka is a five-time major champion, it would be anything but a surprise if he thrives in that "meritocracy" and plays his way into more exclusive fields upon his return.