Tigers Woods, back on course, helped shape Brooks Koepka's PGA Tour return

Brooks Koepka is headed back to the PGA Tour, and Tiger Woods hopes to do so, too.

In addition to focusing on his rehabilitation from his seventh lifetime back surgery, Woods was a part of the PGA Tour committee that formulated the Returning Members Program. On Monday, Koepka, 35, accepted the terms of that program to return from the rival LIV Golf circuit.

Three months removed from his latest back operation, Woods has resumed some golf activities.

"I've been cleared to hit, basically, hit short irons and mid irons," Woods said Tuesday in an ESPN interview. "I haven't gone any beyond that. ...

"Whenever that time comes, when I start hitting drivers, and I start playing at home, and start doing all the different things, I will have been away from the game for a year and a half, so I'm gonna be pretty rusty.

"And so, there's a lot that goes into it. My prep is gonna have to be a little bit different from my other procedures I've had in the past. I've had to stay a lot more patient with myself. I get sore faster, I guess, because I'm 50. And that happens."

While not all reaction to Koepka's return to the PGA Tour has been positive, Woods is happy to see the Koepka's comeback. Koepka, by agreeing to the terms of the Returning Member Program, will be excluded from the player equity program, which could cost him upwards of $50 million depending upon his results. He also must make a $5 million charity donation.

Woods is embracing Koepka, a five-time major champion, in his return from the Saudi-backed tour.

"I think it's incredible for the (PGA) Tour," Woods said on ESPN. "... The (fans) want to see the best play against the best, and for Brooks to want to come back a year early, he was able to do that. We worked through Christmas and through the early part of the year with both boards, all the player directors, other players as well, to make sure that this is right.

"I know there's some punitive damages there. ... But it's a meritocracy. That's what makes our game so great. And he is gonna be playing full-field events, and he has the ability to earn his way up to the signature events.

"If he's good, he's good. (If) he plays great, (he) plays great. (If he) wins tournaments, (he) wins tournaments. There's no reason why we should hold him back."

--Field Level Media