Brooks Koepka is the story in the world of golf right now, with the American set to make his return to the PGA Tour on Thursday.
It was only two weeks ago when Koepka was reinstated as a PGA Tour member, after he moved on from LIV Golf on December 23rd.
The five-time major champion is the first player to jump ship from LIV and return immediately to the PGA Tour.
Koepka managed to win a major during his time with LIV but in general, his form at the four biggest events in the game was nowhere near good enough.
The highlight of that stretch came at Augusta National, where he finished second in the Masters. Still, it’s a long way back from that peak.
PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan welcomed him back ahead of this week’s start at Torrey Pines. “We are excited for Brooks’ return,” Monahan said. “I know he wants to be here.”
Brooks Koepka shares the one aspect of LIV Golf he’ll miss most
Koepka has never been one to shy away from giving an honest answer. So when the 35-year-old was asked if there’s anything he misses about LIV Golf, his response felt genuine.
“I think maybe just being around the guys, right, because we’re not — everybody’s not around each other all the time,” Koepka said.
“I think sometimes, I mean we were all one big traveling circus, right? That’s kind of what it is. It’s fun and I’m going to miss some of those guys, seeing those guys pretty much week to week out there. The relationships I’ve built with those guys and not seeing them all the time, that will be quite different.”
Now back on the PGA Tour, Koepka will have a chance to reconnect with familiar faces and get to know some of the newer names making their mark in the sport.
Brooks Koepka shares what he missed most about the PGA Tour
During his media availability on Tuesday, Koepka was asked what he missed most about the PGA Tour while playing for LIV Golf.
“That’s a good question. I think the ability to have my family out all the time. I think that was one thing because they didn’t travel too much over the last few years.”
“But like they’re going to be out this week, so I am super excited to be able to have them out.“
The transition back to regular life on the PGA Tour should help with that. It also puts him back in front of some of golf’s toughest competition, something he also seemed to miss during his time with LIV.
The question now is whether Koepka can still measure up against golf’s elite after his time away. The Farmers Insurance Open this week will give us an early look at how well he adapts back into the fold and whether he can hit the ground running.
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