随着LIV高尔夫联赛资金压力加大，越来越多球员开始考虑回归PGA巡回赛。[1]Patrick Reed已决定不续约LIV，领跑欧巡赛Race to Dubai排名，计划在2027年获得PGA巡回赛卡。[1]作为首位回归的LIV球员，Brooks Koepka在重返PGA巡回赛后表现欠佳，目前在FedEx杯排名中位列第94位，他本人评价自己的成绩为"pathetic"。[1]根据预测，未来五个月内可能有多达五名前LIV球员参加加州赛季开幕赛。[1]
PGA巡回赛CEO Brian Rolapp表示，他曾向主要球星提供过回归路径，但目前需要制定更加完善的回归政策以应对可能的大规模球员流动。[1]尽管Rolapp在1月份曾给Bryson DeChambeau、Cameron Smith和Jon Rahm三周时间做决定，但三人均未接受该提议。[1]然而，DeChambeau和Smith都曾表达过对回归PGA巡回赛的想法。DeChambeau称"我想能够在PGA巡回赛上比赛……这对高尔夫最好"，[1]而Smith则表示"如果这是唯一选择，我认为那是每个人100%想去的地方"。[1]
LIV高尔夫的奖金吸引力也在下降。PGA巡回赛计划于2028年推出"锦标赛系列赛"，提供2000万美元奖金，而LIV结构调整后的奖金规模预计仅为其一半。[1]此外，球员个人奖金大幅缩水——Jon Rahm的个人冠军奖金从1800万美元降至600万美元。[1]相比之下，PGA巡回赛常规赛赛季冠军Scottie Scheffler获得1000万美元奖金。[1]公共投资基金曾在五年内投入超过50亿美元支持LIV高尔夫，但这笔投资的效果面临考验。[1]
As LIV Golf confronts mounting financial challenges, an increasing number of players from the Saudi-backed circuit are considering returns to the PGA Tour.[1] Patrick Reed has decided not to renew his LIV contract and plans to rejoin the PGA Tour, currently leading the European tour's Race to Dubai standings with an eye toward securing his 2027 PGA Tour card.[1] Brooks Koepka became the first LIV player to return to the PGA Tour, though his performance has disappointed, leaving him ranked 94th in the FedEx Cup standings and prompting him to describe his play as "pathetic."[1]
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp acknowledged that the organization previously offered returning pathways to prominent players, including DeChambeau, Smith, and Rahm, providing each three weeks in January to make a decision—all three declined.[1] Rolapp has now signaled the need for a more comprehensive return policy to handle what could become a significant influx of players.[1] Within five months, potentially as many as five former LIV golfers could participate in California's season opener.[1]
The policy shift reflects LIV Golf's evolving economics: while the Public Investment Fund has invested over $5 billion to support the league over five years, the restructured circuit's prize purses are being substantially reduced, with individual championship bonuses dropping from $18 million to $6 million in some cases.[1] Meanwhile, the PGA Tour's new "Championship Series" launching in 2028 will offer $20 million in prizes—double what LIV's adjusted structure is projected to provide.[1]