Brooks Koepka Opens Up on Family Reasons and Tiger Woods Call Ahead of PGA Tour Return
Five-time Major champion Brooks Koepka has candidly shared the personal and professional factors behind his decision to leave LIV Golf, revealing a pivotal phone call to Tiger Woods and emphasising family considerations as the primary driver for his return to the PGA Tour. The American golfer is set to make his comeback at the Farmers Insurance Open in California this week, marking his first PGA Tour event since 2022.
A Swift Transition Facilitated by Tiger Woods
Koepka disclosed that he contacted Tiger Woods "right away" after being released from LIV Golf on December 23rd, seeking assistance to navigate his return under the PGA Tour's new Returning Member Program. Woods, who serves as vice-chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises, played a crucial role in expediting the process. "I've always had a good relationship with Tiger," Koepka remarked. "That was the first person that kind of came to mind."
Family at the Heart of the Decision
The golfer pointed to significant family events over the past six months as the core reason for his departure from the Saudi-backed tour. In October, his wife Jena Sims announced a miscarriage at 16 weeks, an event that Koepka indicated occurred around the time of the Ryder Cup in September. "Circumstances kind of changed in my family a little bit," he explained, choosing not to delve into further detail but stressing that "that played a big role in coming back."
Koepka expressed gratitude towards LIV Golf figures, including Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and CEO Scott O'Neil, for their handling of his exit. He will forfeit $15 million from the final year of his $150 million contract and donate $5 million to charity as part of the transition.
Embracing a New Chapter on the PGA Tour
With his family, including his son Crew born in 2023, now able to accompany him more frequently, Koepka is looking forward to a schedule that allows for greater domestic stability. "They're going to be out this week, so I am super excited to be able to have them out," he said, contrasting this with the global travel demands of LIV Golf, whose new season begins in Riyadh next week.
Despite admitting he will miss the "big traveling circus" of LIV, Koepka is eager to test himself against top competitors like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. "I'm excited to battle with them. I think that will be really fun," he stated, acknowledging Scheffler's dominant form and McIlroy's success. "I want to play with those guys, see where I'm at and how I can get better."
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
Koepka, who has faced injury concerns since his initial departure from the PGA Tour, remains philosophical about his journey. "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 affirmed. While feeling "nervous" about fan reactions, his focus is squarely on competition.
Following the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Koepka plans to compete in the Phoenix Open, the Cognizant Classic, and The Players Championship, with an eye on building form ahead of the Masters at Augusta. "Then try to play as much as I can I guess before leading up to Augusta," he concluded, signalling a determined return to the pinnacle of professional golf.
