Brooks Koepka feels the nerves in return to PGA Tour from LIV. He also heard plenty of support

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Brooks Koepka felt nerves he had not experienced in years. The swagger that was such a hallmark of his five major championships was replaced by concern about the reception he would get upon his return to the PGA Tour after nearly four years on Saudi-funded LIV Golf.

Koepka didn’t make a birdie until his final hole Thursday. He failed to break par on the tough South course at Torrey Pines in the Farmers Insurance Open.

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And there was a small measure of relief.

“I’m just grateful to be out here and have a chance to compete with these guys,” Koepka said.

A large gallery followed him around on a glorious day along the Pacific bluffs with occasional shouts of, “Welcome back, Brooks.” On his way to the second tee, two young boys called out to him and Koepka walked over for fist bumps. He walked the entire 30 yards of a fence where fans wanted his autograph after his 1-over 73.

“I care about what everybody’s thinking out here, what everybody’s doing, and just trying to be as good of a person and good of a player as I can be,” Koepka said. “Just wanted a warm reception. Just like everybody else, you walk into a room, nobody wants to feel exiled. They just want to be loved.”

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Koepka was freed from the final year of his nine-figure contract with LIV Golf on Dec. 23, applied for his PGA Tour membership about two weeks later and in three days was provided a path back.

The hard part was how he would be received. That’s what brought the relief, and a big smile even after a round in which he hit the ball cleanly and couldn’t buy a putt. The 8-footer for birdie on the 18th was the longest putt he made all day.

“I’m the only one in the entire world that’s going through this situation so it’s very difficult to explain,” Koepka said. “But I’m enjoying it, I really am.”

And now he has company, with former Masters champion Patrick Reed leaving LIV Golf with a chance to return to the PGA Tour as early as September. Koepka didn’t see that coming and only learned about it during his pro-am Wednesday.

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“Yeah, it’s wild,” Koepka said. “Whatever…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/brooks-koepka-feels-nerves-return-003650247.html

Author : DOUG FERGUSON

Publish date : 2026-01-30 00:36:00

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