Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka has officially returned to the PGA Tour after a stint in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, revealing that Tiger Woods was the first person he contacted about rejoining the tour. Koepka, who joined LIV Golf in 2022, left the series in December 2025 with one year remaining on his contract and has since reentered the PGA Tour through its new returning member program.
Koepka Rejoins PGA Tour, Citing Family Priorities and Desire for Top-Level Competition
The 35-year-old, who has won nine PGA Tour events over his career, described feeling nervous about his first event back at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, California. “I think the 23rd [of December] I was released and then called Tiger right away,” Koepka said. “I’ve always had a good relationship with Tiger. That was what I wanted to do once I had the opportunity to, I guess, get reinstated on the PGA Tour.” Woods, a 15-time major winner and chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competitions Committee, provided guidance to Koepka during the transition.
Brooks Koepka (PGA)Koepka admitted that his decision to leave LIV Golf was motivated largely by family considerations. Married with a young son, he said he wanted to prioritize “the needs of his family” while continuing to compete at the highest level. Reflecting on his time in LIV Golf, Koepka stated, “I don’t regret anything I do. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve always enjoyed the ride, no matter where I’m at.” Despite the controversies surrounding LIV Golf, Koepka emphasized that his decision to return was rooted in personal priorities and a desire to face top-tier competition.
Koepka Returns to PGA Tour, Fans React, Highlighting LIV Golf’s Talent Challenges
Speaking about returning to Torrey Pines, Koepka acknowledged some apprehension regarding fan reactions. “Maybe I’m a little nervous about how the fans respond… I hope that they’re excited. I hope that they’re happy that I’m out here,” he said. His reentry comes amid broader speculation about LIV Golf’s future, with several commentators, including Rory McIlroy, suggesting that Koepka’s departure could indicate the rival tour is losing momentum.
McIlroy, 36, noted that Koepka’s competitive nature likely influenced his return. “He obviously is a very competitive person and wants to compete at the highest level,” McIlroy said. “It seems like some of those guys [on the LIV tour] are maybe starting to realize that they’re not getting everything that they wanted out of going over there, and that’s obviously a great thing for the PGA Tour.”
Koepka’s move marks the first time a major champion has left LIV Golf, highlighting both the potential challenges the Saudi-backed series faces in retaining top talent and the continued appeal of the PGA Tour’s competition and visibility. As he prepares to take the course again, Koepka is focusing on enjoying the game, reconnecting with fans and colleagues, and demonstrating that his competitive ambitions remain firmly aligned with the PGA Tour.
