‘Inside The Ropes’ is the chance for Golf Monthly’s tour experts to share their honest opinions on the biggest subjects in the game. This week, it’s about the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program.
Koepka met with PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp to discuss his future plans and, a matter of days later, a brand new creation called the Returning Member Program had been conjured up which allowed the five-time Major winner to regain his PGA Tour status – only with a few key caveats.
It was widely received as an excellent piece of business by Rolapp and the PGA Tour because they had ultimately secured the services of one of the game’s biggest talents while upsetting as few members as possible.
From the historic US circuit’s point of view, the Returning Member Program also acted as a huge piece of bait for some of the most impressive fish in their biggest rival’s lake.
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Due to the parameters involved, only Koepka, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau currently qualify to retake their respective places on the PGA Tour through the RMP.
However, each has strongly indicated they will be staying put and DeChambeau in particular is more interested in hashing out a fresh contract with the PIF-backed league.
Although those three Major winners were happy to swim on past, another big catch appears to be very interested in latching onto the PGA Tour’s hook – namely, one Patrick Reed.
Speaking to Golf Digest’s Evin Priest and The Telegraph’s James Corrigan, Reed was asked if – hypothetically – he would consider making a return to the PGA Tour if offered the same terms as Koepka.
Reed replied: “I mean, of course. If it were up to me, I’d play everywhere. I’m already playing on three tours, why not add one more?” he added with a laugh.
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“I always enjoyed my time out there on the PGA Tour. Let’s be honest, out there, it’s the best tour in the world. Look at what they’ve done in golf … I could see myself playing there at some point again. But right now, you just never know; everything’s so fluid.”
The question, therefore, has to be asked: “should the PGA Tour alter its…
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