LOS ANGELES, California — Brooks Koepka is nervous ahead of his return to the PGA Tour this week after jumping to LIV Golf in 2022, wondering about his game and how fans will treat him.
The five-time major winner split with the Saudi-backed series in December and joined a Returning Member Program announced earlier this month by PGA Tour Chief Executive Officer Brian Rolapp.
Koepka makes his 187th PGA Tour start on Thursday (Friday in Manila) at Torrey Pines in the Farmers Insurance Open.
“It feels a little bit different. I’m definitely a little bit more nervous this week,” Koepka said on Tuesday. “But it feels good. I’m super grateful to be back.”
“It will give me a good idea where my game is at.”
Another unknown for the 35-year-old American is how spectators will react after he departed for a rich offer from LIV, where he won five events in four seasons plus the 2023 PGA Championship.
“Maybe that’s what I’m a little nervous about as well, just to see how the fans respond to it,” Koepka said. “I hope they’re excited. I hope they’re happy I’m out here.
“I have no regrets, but at the same time, I’m excited for this new chapter.”
Koepka, who has not played a PGA Tour event since the 2022 WGC Match Play in Austin, plans to play at Phoenix next month, the Cognizant Classic in Florida and The Players Championship ahead of the Masters.
Koepka will make his 187th career PGA Tour start at Torrey Pines, where he shared fourth at the 2021 US Open. About 15 PGA Tour players welcomed him back on Monday.
“It’s a fresh start for me, which is cool,” Koepka said. “I feel like my game is in pretty good shape.”
As for season goals, Koepka is as competitive as ever, saying, “I’ve got to work my tail off ... I’d love to come out and get a win.”
Three other LIV players — American Bryson DeChambeau, Spain’s Jon Rahm and Australian Cam Smith — are eligible to return under the PGA Tour program, but the deadline is on Monday.