Brooks Koepka Frustrated with His Performance Despite Making Cut at 2026 Cognizant Classic

Brooks Koepka made the cut at the Cognizant Classic on Friday with a 5-under par score in Round 2, following a score of 74 on Thursday.

Brooks Koepka Frustrated with His Performance Despite Making Cut at 2026 Cognizant Classic

Brooks Koepka (Image via Golf Channel)

Brooks Koepka was back on PGA Tour action this Thursday at the Cognizant Classic. In his first start since the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the 5-time major champion fought back on Friday and made the cut. Despite this, he was not happy with his performance.

Koepka sent a major shockwave in December last year by leaving LIV Golf. The American international would leave the Saudi-backed tour after spending 4 seasons with them.

He would later return to the PGA Tour through the Returning Members Program, becoming the first high-profile name to come back to the tour after switching to LIV Golf.

In his first regular start on the tour since 2022, Koepka made the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open. With scores of 73, 68, 70 and 73 in his 4 rounds, he finished T56 at the Torrey Pines golf course.

He would then struggle at the WM Phoenix Open. During the tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona, the golfer would card a score of 75 in the first round. Despite a score of 69 in the second round, he ended up missing the cut.

The former World No.1 was staring at another early exit this week. A bogey on the 16th hole followed by a double bogey on the 17th hole saw him finish the first round with a 3-over par score.

He did bounce back on Friday. With 6 birdies and 1 bogey, the former World No.1 shot a score of 66 and comfortably made the cut.

Koepka, though, did not seem too pleased with his performance. When a reporter asked him whether he would consider making the cut as a small win, he would claim that he was probably “done” if his goal was just to make the cut.

No. If I’m out here to try to make cuts, I’m probably done.

Brooks Koepka said

Koepka was then reminded that last year, Joe Highsmith won the event after making the cut on the number. The American international fired a score of 64 in both the third and fourth rounds after scores of 65 and 72 in the first and second rounds.

He eventually finished the event 19-under par, 2 strokes ahead of runners-up Jacob Bridgeman and J.J. Spaun. Koepka is T27 after the end of Round 2. So, there is still a small chance for him in his hometown event.

Brooks Koepka makes $5 million donation following return to the PGA Tour

After leaving LIV Golf, Brooks Koepka had to make a donation of $5 million as a part of his agreement to return to the PGA Tour. This week, it was revealed where his $5 million donation went.

Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka (Image via Golf)

As per reports, $1 million went to Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, primary charitable beneficiary of this week’s Cognizant Classic. A sum of $1.5 million was split among 10 charitable organizations.

The 10 organizations were the ALS Bridge Foundation, Baby Quest Foundation, Best Buddies, Hannah’s Home of South Florida, Pageant of Hope, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation, Quantum House, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Thomas Healy Hambric Foundation, UnLIMBited Foundation.

The remaining $2.5 million will be decided by the PGA Tour members. As per the statement by the PGA Tour, this sum will go to either their own foundations or the ones they support personally.

Apart from these donations, there were some other terms as well. Koepka will not receive equity from the Player Equity Program until 2030 and will approximately lose around $50-$85 million in earnings. He also will not earn any money from the FedEx Cup bonus program in 2026.

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