India, Jan. 11 -- Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, just over two weeks after defecting from Saudi-funded LIV Golf, has applied to have his PGA Tour membership reinstated. The next step belongs to the tour, which has suspended players for joining the rival league, even if they never had PGA Tour membership.

Two people with knowledge of Koepka's application confirmed Friday he has started the process to rejoin the tour. They spoke on condition of anonymity because it has not been made public. Koepka's manager at Hambric Sports, Blake Smith, said he would not have a comment at this time.

ESPN first reported Koepka's application. With one year left on his LIV contract, the Saudi-backed league announced Dec. 23 that he would no longer...