Last week, LIV Golf received some ground-shaking news. The PIF was officially cutting off funding for the golf league. This came as a surprise and a time for speculation on what would happen to the league. Most outlets suspect that this is spelling the end of LIV Golf, as it has received billions from the Saudi government. With speculation running rampant, Brian Rolapp is considering extending the Returning Membership program to the LIV players who could very well be without a league.
The PGA’s Returning Membership
Earlier this year, Brian Rolapp launched a program for departing LIV players to rejoin the Tour. It was for a limited time only, and the qualifications were for a player to have won a major since 2022 and to make a $5 million charitable donation. Brooks Koepka was the only one who took this deal and made his grand return at the start of the 2026 season. There are, of course, other pathways back into the PGA Tour, but they are long processes that involve a one-year suspension period and earning a new Tour Card through any of the other leagues. The returning membership program could be an easy way to fast-track some of the bigger stars on LIV Golf.
Brian Rolapp On The Program
The news of LIV Golf losing its funding has, of course, reached the ears of Brian Rolapp. He is now facing the possibility of his Tour’s rival league going up in smoke. Rolapp went on the Pat McAfee Show and gave some insight as to what is happening in the PGA Tour. When he was asked about an extended returning membership program, Rolapp didn’t make any commitments but made it clear that something was brewing.
“I think we’re thinking about it,” said Rolapp. “We’re reading all the same headlines you’re reading. We don’t know what’s going on over there. Those guys are under contract, and we’ll respect that. Brooks came back because he made a phone call and said, ‘I’m out of my contract, I’m ready to come back.’ So we are thinking about it. We’ll react when we have an opportunity to react. I’m interested in whatever makes the PGA Tour better. That’s my job, and that has no limit.”
Rolapp’s Plan
Brian Rolapp wants to be more reactive than proactive on this issue as things stand right now. Despite the PIF withdrawal, LIV is still funded through the current season. Issues will only crop up if LIV can’t find enough sponsors for the next season. If the PGA were to reinstate the Returning Membership Program, it would only apply to a few players. This includes Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. Two incredibly valuable players for LIV Golf are two of the main draws for the league. It just so happens that DeChambeau’s contract is about to expire at the end of the year, and he has been subject to several rumors of an exit since the first half of 2025. Rolapp has said that there are talks behind the scenes; now, everyone has to wait and see what happens next.
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