Brian Rolapp and the PGA Tour have a lot on their plate right now, and one of the biggest issues is what to do about the Brooks Koepka situation.
After parting ways with LIV Golf in December, Koepka wasted no time in signaling his desire to return, submitting an application to join the PGA Tour.
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It’s still unclear when he might return to action. Given how similar cases have been handled in the past, the five-time major winner could face a significant ban before returning to play.
From a business standpoint, however, it makes sense for those running the business from Ponte Vedra Beach to get Koepka back into the game as quickly as possible.
And perhaps it’s Thomas Detry who will end up giving Rolapp the answer he’s looking for, even if it’s by accident.
How Thomas Detry’s transfer to LIV Golf could work in favor of the PGA Tour
Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images
Detry is reportedly preparing to sign with LIV Golf, with the Times reporting he will join the 4Aces alongside fellow Belgian Thomas Pieters.
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Losing him is a success for the PGA Tour, especially after his victory at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open.
But while that stings from a competitive standpoint, it won’t move the needle much in terms of TV viewership.
LIV hasn’t really been keeping up with the big names lately, so bringing in someone like Detry is smart business for them.
From a timing standpoint, this could provide a return opportunity for Koepka.
In previous years, players leaving for LIV before January would create openings for others on the tour. For example, when Laurie Canter returned to LIV in 2025, Dan Brown took her place on the PGA Tour roster for that season.
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But with this year’s campaign already underway, Detry’s departure doesn’t appear to directly benefit those waiting in line.
It seems unlikely that Chris Kirk will have full access to the marquee events after finishing last season ranked 51st in the FedEx Cup standings. Lee Hodges was further behind at number 101 and also looks set to miss out on full membership.
The line between full access and nothing is part of an ongoing debate over whether this system actually reflects merit or whether it needs to be adjusted.
While Hodges probably wouldn’t mind making late changes if it meant having more starts throughout the year, Detry’s timing hasn’t worked in his favor one way or another.
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It seems, however, that the rumor of Detry changing positions came too late.
If that were the case, the PGA Tour might consider establishing a special exemption. This exemption would allow five-time major champions to participate in each flagship event if a position becomes available.
Why a new Koepka rule could be the right move for the PGA Tour
The idea behind such a rule would clearly be to open the door for Koepka without making it easy for others to follow his lead.
People would understand why this was introduced, and it’s a better alternative than touring just admitting that they can’t let Koepka sit out an entire year.
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The move could be linked to Detry’s late transfer to LIV, which left a vacancy that did not previously exist.
With that spot now available, there is a reasonable argument to grant an exemption to someone with Koepka’s credentials.
