La Jolla, California – last time brooks koepka Walked down the narrow fairways of Torrey Pines at the 2021 U.S. Open, the world of golf was full.
Koepka was ranked 10th in the world at the time, had recently been runner-up at the PGA Championship (his 10th top-10 finish at a major in his last 15 appearances) and had the fourth-best odds of winning that week. His aura at the time was unmistakable – he had four major titles to his name and had built a reputation for himself that reflected a kind of cool nonchalance matched by his effortless confidence on the game’s biggest stages. He wasn’t afraid to let you in on it either.
“I think sometimes the majors are the easiest to win,” Koepka said in 2019. “Half the guys work themselves out of it, and mentally I know I can beat most of them.”
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On Tuesday at Torrey Pines, nearly five years after the US Open, still wearing Nike clothes but now under the PGA Tour banner – not LIV – once again, a different Koepka emerged. He was mild-mannered and reserved, grateful for the opportunity to step over the picket fence once again into the abyss of professional golf, which was not exactly an open book.
“I’m definitely a little more nervous this week,” Koepka said. “There are a lot of people I don’t know.”
It would be easy to tell where he stands in the game now. According to the Official World Golf Ranking (LIV does not receive OWGR points), Koepka is the 255th-ranked player in the world, and according to Data Golf, 162nd. He has missed five cuts in his last eight non-LIV appearances, including three missed cuts at major competitions last year. That quintessential Koepka confidence may still be there, but for now, it’s on the back burner.
Recent form aside, Koepka is one of those names who, if not moves the needle, at least makes it vibrate. The tour’s response to his desire to return was a reminder of this.
Koepka wasn’t just added to the Farmers Open field, his return has been heavily promoted by the tour’s social media channels. Its slogan for this season, “Where the Best Belongs”, was immediately cut into a promo featuring Koepka. He was placed in a special group and organized a tour to get ESPN involved with him. Its first two rounds aired on the main networks..
“It’s always nice to feel wanted and accepted,” Koepka said. “I’m just excited for it — maybe a little nervous to get to Thursday so I can get back to playing golf, and that’s where I feel most comfortable.”
Away from the podium, Koepka seemed relieved to finally focus on the thing he’s needed to do lately: his game. He worked on the range with his caddy and coach, greeting players with greetings, hugs and good wishes as he worked on his swing. On Tuesday, he played the front nine at Torrey North with Woking fred couplewho said this in March Koepka wanted to return to the PGA Tour.
This week, Koepka’s performance on the course has been supportive. His presence alone is a victory for the new-look PGA Tour under CEO Brian Rolapp, further cemented by its announcement on Wednesday. Patrick Reed returns to the PGA Tour.
“I think people want to go on the PGA Tour. It’s the best tour in the world, the most competitive tour,” JJ Spawn Said. “I think Patrick will be a good asset to the tour, and I think it tells the story of where the tour is going.”
If fast-tracking Koepka back to play was the tour that gave LIV a bit of its own medicine, the inclusion of Reed and its implications is arguably a bigger hit. For Koepka, the Tour was willing to bend the rules to provide immediate access. For Reed, there was no need.
“After winning [in Dubai]”I realized how much I missed the grind and the dogfights, that’s where I am,” Reed told ESPN. “I always saw myself coming back to the PGA Tour. I know I have to earn my way back and I’m okay with that.”
So far under Rolap, it’s clear that the directive – the mandate, even – is that the top priority for the tour will be to do whatever it can to strengthen itself. Any kind of bad feelings, complaints and resentment about the players who fled for LIV do not matter as much as being able to strengthen the tour by including the best players in the game.
By allowing Koepka to return immediately and facilitating Reed’s reinstatement, the Tour has effectively diverted attention from the never-ending question about whether the two tours will find a different way to work together: Who will be the next player to attempt a comeback on the PGA Tour?
“As you see, the dominoes are starting to fall, maybe those guys on the LIV Tour aren’t as happy over there and the grass isn’t greener on the other side.” harris english Said. “They’re seeing the PGA Tour getting stronger and more successful, and feeling like money isn’t everything. Like it doesn’t fulfill them. It doesn’t satisfy me. They’re still competitive, they’re competitive people and they love playing in the biggest tournaments against the best players in the world. For me, it’s on the PGA Tour, and I think they’re starting to realize that’s what fulfills them.”
Whether solid, opportunistic or both, the tour is now playing aggressively under rollups and even taking advantage of LIV’s own structure. With LIV players under contract, some players like Reed have effectively become free agents after their contracts expire, allowing the Tour to use the return path but without having to pick up their pound of flesh in the form of a suspension and no player equity eligibility until 2030.
It remains to be seen whether that’s enough for some of the players who are holding out.
“For players, this is a sensitive topic,” adam scottsaid a player director of the PGA Tour Policy Board. “We’re certainly mindful of the overall membership first, but we’re also listening to what people want to see in the PGA Tour. We have to look at what’s best for the Tour and the membership going forward. So everything can’t stay put forever, and we have to stay open-minded.”
Scott said the decision to create the returning members program and allow Koepka to return immediately was “made unanimously across the board.” Maverick McNealy He said that although the current Player Advisory Council was not involved in the Koepka decision, Rolapp held a special session with members to include them and make sure everyone was on the same page.
On Wednesday, as the entire arena was buzzing with news of Reed’s return to tour, Rolapp spent ample time on the driving range and on the green talking with players. At least publicly, every player interviewed had a positive outlook toward the comebacks of both Reed and Koepka.
McNally said of Rolapp, “I think it’s one of his strengths that he’s a very clear communicator and due diligence was done on this decision and all avenues were explored.” “Ultimately, we hired Brian to make the best decisions for the PGA Tour and he has done that. Go back a few years, think about how really difficult it was with LIV and there was a time when we were wondering if the future of our Tour was safe. And I think we’re all absolutely thrilled that this really feels like a place to play the highest level of golf. I think that’s what has happened over the last few weeks.”
