Honolulu — brooks koepka He expects a nervous energy when he returns to a regular PGA Tour event for the first time in four years at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Only a few of them are related to his golf.
How he is received – in and out of the ropes – as the first player remains to be seen Invited back to PGA Tour Following the addition of the Saudi Emiratis to the LIV Golf League in 2022.
“I have a lot of work to do with some players,” Koepka said in a telephone interview Monday. “There are definitely people who are happy, and there are definitely people who will be angry. It’s a harsh punishment financially. I understand exactly why the tour did it – it’s meant to hurt. But it [his departure] Hurt a lot of people.
“If someone is upset, I need to rebuild those relationships.”
Koepka was allowed to return under a one-time returning member program that was developed and approved by the PGA Tour board last week. This only applies to players who have won a Major or Players Championship from 2022 onwards.
The penalty is a $5 million contribution to a charity that will help make decisions on tour, no access to FedEx Cup bonus money in 2026, no sponsor rebates for $20 million signature events and, most importantly, no equity grants in the PGA Tour for the next five years.
The PGA Tour estimates the financial impact could be anywhere from $50 million to $85 million, depending on Koepka’s performance at the level of winning five major championships.
“There was no conversation,” Koepka said of his conversation last week with PGA Tour Enterprises CEO Brian Rolapp. “It’s meant to hurt – it hurts – but I understand. It’s not supposed to be an easy path. A lot of people were hurt by it when I left, and I understand that’s part of coming back.”
As for those who aren’t happy with his return, Koepka said he’s eager to have a personal conversation outside of the media.
“I’ll be a little nervous the first week,” Koepka said. “There’s a lot more going on than just golf. I’ll be glad to put the first week behind me – dealing with the media, dealing with the players, and then having some tough conversations. But I’m looking forward to it.
“Am I nervous? Yes. Am I excited? Yes. In a weird way, I want to have that conversation.”
Jordan Spieth Said Koepka just needs to be the same guy who was gone.
“You don’t ask anybody to change to please other people,” Spieth said. “I don’t think he needs to play Monday Pro-Ams or walk along the range and wave at everyone and say, ‘Excuse me.’ He just came back and plays really good golf. It’s good for everyone.”
The board, led by the majority of players, signed off on the plan. Koepka spoke with Rolapp on the phone Thursday evening, and he At PGA Tour Headquarters The next morning without any companion. He came in through the side entrance.
Koepka, 35, who has the next three years off his 2023 win at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, returns to Torrey Pines on Jan. 29. He also said he would play the WM Phoenix Open, where he won his first PGA Tour title in 2015 and again in 2021.
It could provide the first real test of how the public feels — a Saturday afternoon on the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, the rowdiest in golf, even for players fans don’t really know.
“I can handle it,” Koepka said. “I enjoy crowds, and hope everyone is happy to see me. They can’t be angry with me forever.”
So why the change?
News first began circulating in November that negotiations between Koepka and LIV Golf – he had a year left on his contract – were not going well. He complained publicly last summer that LIV was not as far along as he wanted.
And then on December 23rd came an announcement from LIV “Amicable” splitAnd Koepka reapplied for PGA Tour membership.
Koepka cited a knee injury that took a toll on his body and a desire to spend more time with his family as his reasons for joining LIV. When he left LIV he cited the need to spend more time at home, especially after his wife had suffered a previous miscarriage.
“I needed to be there with my family these last few months. I needed to be close to home,” Koepka said. “I was able to get out of the LIV contract, everything was completely arranged and I was able to get back on tour.
“I’m happy and grateful that I could make it this far.”
Koepka has not spoken publicly about how much he was offered to play for LIV, except to say on the 2023 Podcast with boxer Jake Paul that it was nine figures. It was also unclear how much he was paid when he left a year ago.
Now it’s about playing again on familiar ground with players he saw in the majors only four times a year. He is close to many players who live in South Florida. Others he will see for the first time in the locker room, on the range, on the first tee.
“It’s probably a mixed bag of ‘We’re glad you’re back, welcome home’ to ‘You shouldn’t be here.’ I understand everyone’s perspective,” Koepka said. “I probably would have sat out a year, and I’m extremely grateful that this Tour gave me that opportunity.”
