Brooks Koepka and Pat Perez may have successfully transitioned from LIV Golf to the PGA Tour, but the fact that Koepka was rendered eligible to compete at the Farmers Insurance Open, and Perez wasn't, is raising a lot of eyebrows.

The clarification of this burning issue is closely tied to the PGA Tour's Returning Member Program.

As per the Returning Member Program, a returning golfer must have won a major championship or THE PLAYERS Championship between 2022 and 2025. Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship victory made him eligible for the return. However, regarding Perez's case, the Tour stated that he was reinstated "at his request."

The Tour authorities also mentioned, "Pat Perez was reinstated as a member but is not eligible to participate in PGA Tour-affiliated tournaments at this time. The PGA Tour does not comment on disciplinary matters." 

Perez joined LIV Golf’s 4Aces team in 2022 and, two years later, lost his spot in the league. Later in 2025, he acted as an on-course reporter for the Saudi-backed league. 

But for the PGA Tour, Perez’s broadcasting duties were the same as playing for LIV Golf. And that’s why he can’t play right after joining the PGA Tour like Brooks Koepka. Instead, he’d have to serve a 12-month suspension. 

About a week ago, LIV Golf's #1 player, Jon Rahm, criticized this difference. 

Jon Rahm Ridicules Brooks Koepka and Pat Perez’s Punishment

During his appearance on the Golf’s Subpar podcast with Drew Stoltz and Colt Knost, the hosts and Rahm discussed Perez’s suspension after leaving LIV Golf.

But when Stoltz questioned if Koepka should also serve a suspension, just like Perez, Rahm claimed it would be unfair. 

“That’s absolutely ridiculous,” he said. “I’m sorry, the fact that those two guys get the same punishment with broadcasting – I won’t say much more on that, but that’s a little ridiculous.”

The contrasting cases expose gray areas in the PGA Tour’s reintegration rules. As LIV exits increase, consistency in punishment and eligibility may face greater scrutiny.

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Souvik Roy