Five-time Major champion Brooks Koepka will play the Farmers Insurance Open in California this week after leaving LIV Golf last month
Brooks Koepka called Tiger Woods “right away” for help after deciding to leave LIV Golf for family reasons last month. And now the former world No.1 is now looking forward to taking on the “dominant” Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy back on the PGA Tour
The American will tee up at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines tomorrow (Thurs) in his first PGA Tour event since 2022.
He announced he was leaving the Saudi-backed LIV Golf just before Christmas and revealed then called Woods, now the vice-chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises, to set in motion his rapid return under the new Returning Member Program.
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“I think on the 23rd I was released and then called Tiger right away, then that process got the ball rolling,” he said.. “I’ve always had a good relationship with Tiger. That was the first person that kind of came to mind.”
Koepka’s wife Jena Sims announced on Instagram in October that she had suffered a miscarriage at 16 weeks.
Asked about the main reason for his return, the five-time Major winner said: “It was about my family. A lot’s gone on over the past five, six months with my family. That played a big role in coming back.
“I’m not going to get into too much detail about the family issues that we’ve had, but it was September, right around the Ryder Cup week. Circumstances kind of changed in my family a little bit. Then that’s when things started to change and evolve and just started to have those conversations of what’s best for my family. So we took it from there.
“I’m super grateful for (LIV and Newcastle boss) Yasir (Al-Rumayyan) and (LIV CEO) Scott O’Neil, the way they handled things.”
In his pre-tournament press conference, he dodged all questions on golf politics but admitted he will miss the “big traveling circus” of LIV. But he can now play predominantly in the USA instead of travelling worldwide with the new LIV Golf season starting in Riyadh next week.
Koepka said his family – the couple have a son Crew born in 2023 – would now be able to be with him “all the time”. He added: “I think that was one thing because they didn’t travel too much over the last few years. But like they’re going to be out this week, so I am super excited to be able to have them out.”
Koepka signed a five-year deal worth $150m to join LIV in 2022 with half paid up front. He will give up $15m for the final year of his contract plus pay $5m to charity.
He has been suffering from injury and feared for his playing future when he left the PGA Tour but he insisted: “I don’t regret anything I do. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve always enjoyed the ride no matter where I’m at”
He said he was “nervous” about the reaction of fans but said: “I’m super excited about being back on the PGA Tour. Obviously Scottie’s been dominant I guess is probably the right word. Yeah, Rory’s got five now.
“I don’t think anybody’s shocked by this if you’ve watched golf over the last few years, how well those guys are playing. I’m excited to battle with them. I think that will be really fun.
“I think just the competitive side of me, obviously, you obviously want to do a little bit better but that’s going to be very tough to do better than Scottie right now. But yeah, I’m excited for it. I want to play with those guys, see where I’m at and how I can get better.”
Koepka, 35, will also play next week in Phoenix Open, the Cognizant Classic and The Players. “Then try to play as much as I can I guess before leading up to Augusta,” he said.
