PGA Tour sends Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm a strict ultimatum

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp just unveiled a power play that could mark the beginning of the end for LIV Golf. 

In a statement released on Monday, Rolapp announced the creation of the Returning Members Program, an initiative that will allow LIV Golf stars to return to the PGA Tour under strict financial conditions. The Returning Members Program involves "elite performance-based criteria" that includes only winners of the Players Championship, Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open or Open Championship between 2022 and 2025. That applies to only four players: Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith. 

The program came about after Koepka left LIV Golf and contacted the PGA Tour about reinstatement in December. Rolapp saw that as an opportunity to poach other superstars back from LIV, so he created the Returning Members Program with a strict ultimatum. 

Any player on that list who wants to rejoin the PGA Tour can return and play as soon as they want, but there are multiple catches. They will forfeit equity from the PGA Tour's Player Equity Program for five years, which could cause them to miss out on $50M-85M in potential earnings. Koepka, who already agreed to the parameters, is ineligible for FedEx Cup earnings and sponsor exemptions into signature events in 2026. He will also make a $5M donation to an agreed-upon charity.

PGA Tour sets deadline for Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith

As for DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith, they're officially on the clock. 

Rolapp revealed these players have until Feb. 2 to join the Returning Members Program. If they don't, they might never get another chance to return to the PGA Tour. 

"This is a one-time, defined window and does not set a precedent for future situations," Rolapp wrote in his statement. "Once the door closes, there is no promise that this path will be available again."

Yeah, he's not messing around.