Brooks Koepka will play in his first regular PGA Tour event this week since the World Golf Championship Dell Match Play in March 2022. After that event, Koepka departed for LIV Golf, where he spent the past four years until reaching an agreement to terminate his contract in December of this year.
The PGA TOUR has created a “Returning Member Program.” Road to KoepkaJon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith were expected to return if they wanted, and Koepka was the only one to take advantage of the “one-time” opportunity by paying a large donation and a small fine.
On Thursday, Koepka will tee up at the Farmers Insurance Open at famed Torrey Pines to make his return to tour official, but before he can get back on the course, he first needs to meet with the media gathered in San Diego.
Naturally, Koepka wasn’t going to reveal much about his LIV release or compare the two tours, but he did offer some insight into his return, how it happened, and the nervousness he feels about it.
Tiger Woods’ role in Koepka’s return
Perhaps the most notable piece of information Koepka provided was his discussion of how involved Tiger Woods was in the comeback process. After securing his release from LIV Golf, Koepka explained that his first call was to Tiger.
“I think it was September, right around Ryder Cup week. We had to be in New York, and we were in New York for a little while. Things changed a little bit for my family,” Koepka said. “Then, I think things started to change and evolve and we started talking about what was best for our family. So we decided from there. Then I — me and LIV, we broke the agreement, and everyone was happy with it. They said I I understood the situation I was in. I was just excited to be out here. So I did that. I think it was the 23rd, and I called Tiger right away. Then the process started moving.”
When asked later why Woods was his first call, Koepka explained that Woods was the one with whom he had the best relationship among the major decision makers on tour.
“I’ve always had a good relationship with Tiger, and I felt like that’s what I wanted to do. If I had the opportunity to get back on the PGA Tour, maybe that would have been exciting, and I really didn’t know what to do,” Koepka said. “That was the first person that came to mind. I didn’t know Brian (Lorup). I obviously didn’t have a relationship with him just because he’s fairly new. And Jay (Monaghan), Jay was going to be the next call. Tiger felt like someone I’ve trusted in the past with Q&A and the way he handled things. And I felt like that was probably the most comfortable call for me.”
Woods currently serves as chairman of the PGA Tour’s competition committee, which carries considerable weight on the tour given his status as one of the game’s all-time greats. Woods remained loyal despite the surprising offer from LIV and undoubtedly saw Koepka’s return as an opportunity to get a big win on the Tour. Koepka wisely recognized that Woods would be amicable and steer him in his return, which likely happened much sooner than most, including Koepka, expected because of Woods’ involvement in the process.
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Koepka cites family as a big reason for his return
Koepka has been asked numerous times in different ways why he decided to leave LIV and return to the PGA Tour, and each time he has given the same answer: “Family.” Koepka didn’t provide many details, but said he had recent family issues and playing in the United States again would allow his family to travel more often.
Asked what he’s most excited about returning to the PGA Tour, Koepka said, “I think it’s just being able to get my family out and about all the time.” “I think one of the factors is that they haven’t traveled as much the last few years. But they’re going on a road trip this week, so I’m really excited to be able to take them.”
When asked about the biggest factor in his return, Koepka singled out his family.
“Just my family,” Koepka said. “I’ve been going through a lot with my family over the past five or six months, and that played a big role in my coming back. I think it was a tough conversation for me to then talk to my wife and my team and make the decision to come back, but it was what was best for me and my family. I think it was a decision that my wife, I, all of us, and our team thought was best.”
Koepka said his wife will be at Torrey Pines this week and his son will be attending the WM Phoenix Open. He also said that he has had to do a lot of “growing up” over the past few years since his son was born.
“When you have a two-and-a-half-year-old, they grow up pretty fast,” Koepka explained. “Yeah, it’s a lot of fun. I think being a father and being a father has made me grow as a person. I definitely try to show him the best example, the best way to live. That’s what I try to do. I think everyone in this room goes through a phase in their life, and I’m at that phase right now, so I try to set a good example for him and do what’s best for our family.”
Accept hardship to participate in signature events
Koepka’s schedule for the 2026 season is not completely set in stone, in part because he has not yet qualified for a major event. Because he needs to play in these tournaments, his only upcoming schedule at this point is the Farmers Insurance Open, WM Phoenix Open, Cognizant Classic, and The Players.
Asked about the challenge of playing the most coveted event on the PGA Tour schedule, Koepka said that’s part of the reason he’s excited to return.
“That’s the fun part. I love hard work and I always have fun,” Koepka said. “I think this is a fresh start for me, which is great. I think this is just a new chapter in my book. I’m excited about it. I feel like my game is in pretty good shape and I want to see where it is. Obviously this week is a little different. But yeah, I want to get through this week and feel like I can start playing golf again. I’m very excited.”
A more introspective Brooks Koepka
Koepka said he is more nervous this week than he has been in recent days, knowing he will have to answer all the questions about his departure and return. There was some uncertainty about how he would react from fans and others on the PGA Tour, but for now he has been warmly welcomed by both sides.
“Maybe that’s why I’m a little nervous about that too, just to see how the fans react to it,” Koepka said. “I hope they’re excited. I hope they’re happy that I’m here. At least in the conversations I’ve had with the players, they’re excited to have me back and happy to see me play.”
For a player who has been considered one of the most intense and focused competitors, Tuesday’s presser provided a rare glimpse into a more vulnerable version of Brooks Koepka. Admitting he’s nervous and hoping fans and players will accept him isn’t what many expected from Koepka, even though it’s a natural feeling for anyone, but he also seems ready to put those concerns behind him and get back to competing on the Tour.
Although he wasn’t interested in talking too much about his departure from LIV or the different dynamics between the two tours, he said there was one thing in particular he would miss about LIV.
“I think maybe just being with everyone, yeah, we’re not, so not everyone is with each other all the time. I think sometimes, I mean, we’re all one big traveling circus,” Koepka said. “That’s the thing. It’s fun and I get to see those guys every week, so I’m going to miss some of them. It’s going to be a lot different than the relationships I’ve had with them and not seeing them all the time. But at the same time, there’s a lot of people here that I haven’t seen in four years and I haven’t had to hang out with as much, so I’m excited about that as well.”
Once he gets on the course, he seems to be most comfortable with the golf aspect after his return. He said Tuesday’s presser was what he feared the most, and now that he’s gotten over it, he hopes he can focus on the task at hand: re-establishing himself as a threat on the PGA Tour.
As for what will make this year a success, Koepka cited being on the field in signature events and playing well overall, but as has always been the case for Brooks, there’s only one main goal. “I want to go out and win.”
