‘Emotional’ Brooks Koepka Claims He Has “Fallen Back in Love” with Golf Following PGA Tour Return

Brooks Koepka made his first regular PGA Tour start since 2022 on Thursday at the Farmers Insurance Open.

‘Emotional’ Brooks Koepka Claims He Has “Fallen Back in Love” with Golf Following PGA Tour Return

Brooks Koepka (Image via Golf)

On Thursday, all eyes were on Brooks Koepka as he made his return to the PGA Tour. Following the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines course, the 5-time major champion was left emotional and claimed that he had “fallen back in love” with the game.

Last month, Koepka shocked the golf fans by leaving LIV Golf. The former World No.1 was one of the high-profile names who had joined the league in 2022. After 4 seasons, the American international brought an end to his tenure with the Saudi-backed tour.

Earlier this month, he got reinstated on the PGA Tour through the Returning Member Program. This week, he made his first regular PGA Tour start since 2022.

Despite his vast experience, Koepka had some first-tee jitters. During the post-round conference, the ex-Smash GC captain got a bit emotional and admitted that he had fallen back in love with golf.

Just because I care. I think I’ve fallen back in love with the game… It wasn’t that you fall out of it, but I think you can fall deeper in love with it.

Brooks Koepka told the reporters

Fans at the Torrey Pines course were eagerly waiting to voice their support towards Koepka. In the press conference, the 35-year-old would soak in the warm reception and claimed it was “cool” to hear it from them.

The fans were awesome today. I think it was very cool to hear, ‘Welcome back.’ It was pretty much every hole, which is great. I loved to hear it.

Brooks Koepka added

Speaking of the round, Koepka had some ups and downs. On the front nine, he shot 8 pars and 1 bogey. On the back nine, he made 7 pars and 1 bogey before carding a birdie on the final hole to finish the round with a 1-over 73 score.

While his return has been the big news, his first start on the PGA Tour in almost 4 years could be cut short. Ahead of the 2nd round on Friday, he is T101 in the leaderboard and will need a better performance than this to make the cut and play over the weekend.

Former Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama was left shocked with return of Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka‘s return to the PGA Tour this month has been the highly talked-about point in golf. While many are happy to see him return, there are some who were left frustrated. Former Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama was left shocked by this development.

Hideki Matsuyama and Brooks Koepka
Hideki Matsuyama and Brooks Koepka (Image via Golf/PGA Tour)

Matsuyama was rumored to be one name on his way to LIV Golf in 2022. According to reports, he would turn down a huge 9-figure number and remain with the tour.

Ahead of the Farmers Insurance Open, the 2021 Masters Champion would open about the return of Koepka and admit he was shocked.

I was shocked to hear about it in the news. I thought, ‘He can come back…?

Hideki Matsuyama told Golf Digest Champion regarding Brooks Koepka.

The Japanese international would then claim that he had no problem with Koepka. However, he was unhappy with the lack of communication from the PGA Tour.

I have nothing against the player himself... I do question why the PGA Tour didn’t explain things to the players beforehand. At the very least, I wasn’t aware such a rule existed… While there’s a financial hit, what about the non-monetary aspects? What happened to the idea that players who joined LIV couldn’t compete on the PGA Tour for a year… That’s what I’m more concerned about.

Hideki Matsuyama added

Former U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark had similar thoughts. The 32-year-old recently admitted that he was frustrated to see him come back without facing any major consequences.

I personally really like Brooks… I don’t know really how I feel. I wish maybe there was a few more repercussions.

Wyndham Clark said on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio

Following his return, Koepka is ineligible for the Player Equity Program until 2030. As per the Tour, this would see him lose around $50-85 million in potential equity earnings.

He is also ineligible for any FedEx Cup bonus money in 2026. On top of this, he had to make a $5 million donation to charity following a request from the tour.

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