LIV Golf is facing a pivotal moment. After a rough offseason and speculation that some of its top players want out, there are real questions about where the league goes from here.
The 2025 season did not do them any favours either. No LIV players won a major, just three made the Ryder Cup, and while the PGA Tour continued to thrive, LIV’s recruitment efforts stalled completely.
Laurie Canter and Victor Perez came on board, but there were not any notable names rumoured to be joining. CEO Scott O’Neil spoke about adding depth to their roster, but even their move for Si Woo Kim did not materialise.
While that was happening, reports started surfacing that Brooks Koepka might want back into the PGA Tour. It is the first time LIV could head into a season looking weaker than it did before.
One of the big talking points now is whether LIV players should face any penalties if they come back. Can they really just step back onto the PGA Tour as if nothing happened? Justin Thomas was asked what he thought about it all.
Justin Thomas shares his view on LIV Golf players returning to the PGA Tour
With speculation around Koepka’s possible return growing, Thomas was asked for his thoughts on how LIV players might find their way back to the PGA Tour.
He told Straight Facts, Homie!: “I got no idea. I don’t know how many different factors or people or whoever it is that makes that decision. I think a lot of us, I think even LIV included, just like the tour players are over this, and we just want a scenario or situation where we’re all playing.
“But Rolapp said it pretty well, we have the best tour in the world right now. The tournaments are doing well, they’re are growing fans at a great rate. And of course, they have so many great players, and the top players in the world. So, why wouldn’t we want them?
“At the same time, I don’t know what that path back looks like. I think it’d be nice to figure out whatever that is. Fortunately, that is so far above my pay grade that I don’t have to make those decisions.
“But, hopefully, sooner rather than later, there’s something that happens, just for the betterment of everybody wanting to watch golf. I think the noise is at least settled of how bad it was a couple years ago or whatever.
“But, I’m sure, some of those guys, maybe didn’t go how they had planned or how they had hoped, to where I’m sure you’re looking, like how bad Jon Rahm would love to be playing Tory Pines and Riviera and The Players and stuff like that. I think he’s even said that.
“I’m not sure what that looks like, but hopefully, you know, it it can look like something at some point, right?”
Unfortunately for Thomas, simply allowing LIV players back onto the PGA Tour and moving on is not a feasible option.
What is standing in the way of golf unification?
Golf is a long way from a unified future, with several hurdles still standing in the way. Here are three that matter more than most.
The first issue is how the PGA Tour recognises those who stayed loyal. Players like Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler turned down huge offers to stick with the Tour. From their side, it is hard to justify LIV players being able to take the money and return later without any consequences.
Why did players like Scheffler stay loyal if there is no penalty for those who left? Without some sort of repercussion for LIV golfers, there could be real frustration building within the locker room, risking a split among its top players.
The second problem involves scheduling. Reports suggest PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp wants to overhaul the calendar, removing signature events and starting play after the Super Bowl.
Those plans have been drawn up based on who is currently on tour. So what happens when another 20-plus LIV players are added?
The third issue is special treatment. The Tour needs to decide if it is comfortable making exceptions for stars over other former LIV members. Take Hudson Swafford, for instance – he is serving a lengthy suspension after joining LIV.
If major champions like Jon Rahm or Koepka receive different terms than someone like Swafford, even if it can be justified, it risks undermining trust within the existing roster.
Until these issues are addressed directly by leadership – not just through media soundbites – unifying professional golf will remain out of reach.
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