Tom Watson criticizes PGA Tour for readmitting LIV Golf defectors

Golf legend Tom Watson has expressed disappointment with the PGA Tour's decision to allow players who defected to the LIV Golf League to return. The PGA Tour introduced a program enabling a select group of top performers to rejoin, with Brooks Koepka taking advantage of the offer after parting ways with the Saudi-backed circuit. As part of his reinstatement, Koepka agreed to make a $5m charitable donation. Patrick Reed is also set to return after leaving LIV Golf. Watson stated that the PGA Tour reneged on its promise to ban players who left for LIV Golf, suggesting that if he were commissioner, he would have imposed a lifetime ban or required them to play on the Korn Ferry Tour for a year to qualify for reinstatement. The Returning Member Program was also offered to Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith, who remain with LIV Golf. Reed will return after serving a one-year suspension and has confirmed his departure from LIV Golf, citing his desire to compete against the best players on the PGA Tour.