World number three Tommy Fleetwood has publicly welcomed the return of Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour, while simultaneously revealing that the rival LIV Golf circuit has not approached him during this off-season.
Koepka's High-Profile Return to the PGA Tour
The American star, Koepka, departed the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour last month and has swiftly rejoined the PGA Tour. His comeback will begin at the Farmers Insurance Open next week, providing a significant boost for the established tour. This move places immediate pressure on LIV to retain its remaining marquee players, with Patrick Reed already hinting he might follow Koepka back to the PGA.
Speaking ahead of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Fleetwood expressed his support for Koepka's decision. "The PGA Tour is in a great place," Fleetwood stated. "We play some unbelievable events for a ridiculous amount of money on the PGA Tour, and I think it's been in a great place and I'm very grateful to get to play where I do."
He added, "It's a great thing for the PGA TOUR that Brooks has come back and he's playing. I think Brooks coming back is only a good thing for the (PGA) TOUR."
Fleetwood's Focus on Majors and Dreams
Fleetwood, who secured a $10 million payday for his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Tour Championship last August, is now setting his sights on a first Major championship. The Dubai-based Englishman emphasised his lifelong ambitions in the sport.
"I'm a big believer in goals and dreams," said Fleetwood. "I have my lifetime dreams in the game from when I was a kid, and they are still going. Personally, I'm playing where I feel like I can still chase my dreams, and I'm in the best place to be the best golfer I can be."
He suggested Koepka's decision was driven by a similar motive: "He wants to play where he feels like he can get the most out of himself and play his best golf, and that's obviously where he's made his decisions."
LIV's Spending and Fleetwood's Current Status
LIV Golf, financed by Newcastle United's owners the Public Investment Fund, made waves with colossal signings in its first two seasons. Brooks Koepka reportedly landed a $150 million five-year deal, sacrificing approximately $15 million by leaving early, while Jon Rahm's deal was valued at up to $400 million.
This season's acquisitions, however, have been less prominent, featuring players like Victor Perez and Laurie Canter. Fleetwood, an early target for LIV whose market value has soared in recent years, confirmed he has had no recent contact. "Yeah, they haven't sniffed around me in this postseason," he revealed.
"It's probably going to cost a lot of money, right, to get some big-name players," Fleetwood noted. "I don't know what their strategy will be or who they will be looking at or how they want to go about it, but they don't talk to me."
His Ryder Cup teammate, Shane Lowry, also commented on Koepka's return. "I think it's good for the TOUR, the PGA TOUR, as Brooks is going to play a lot of the smaller events. So that's going to add to those," said the Irishman, who admitted to losing sleep over a costly double bogey on the 72nd hole at the recent Dubai Invitational.
The shifting landscape of professional golf continues to evolve, with player loyalties and career ambitions dictating moves between the two rival tours.
