Brooks Koepka takes the step back to the PGA Tour, sharing insights on his reasons for returning during a press conference.
At a PGA Tour press conference ahead of his comeback debut, 35-year-old golf pro Brooks Koepka, returning from the LIV Golf League, addressed the media. Since the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play 2022, Koepka had not played a PGA Tour event. On Tuesday morning, the five-time major champion spoke to the media for the first time since his return.
Koepka quickly realized: This comeback feels different even for a five-time major winner. \”I think it feels a little different. I’m definitely a bit more nervous this week, simply because I’m coming back,\” Koepka said openly. Yet gratitude prevails: \”But it feels good. I’m super grateful to be back here.\”
Brooks Koepka: \”Being close to my family is very important to me\”
After three and a half years away from the PGA Tour, many things are new to Koepka. \”There are many guys I haven’t known for the past three, three and a half years,\” he explained. Nevertheless, he is excited to be part of tour life again. The most important reason for his return was not sporting. Koepka repeatedly emphasized the role of his family. \”Definitely my family. A lot has happened in the last five, six months,\” he said. The decision to return was the result of intense discussions: \”Those were difficult talks, but it was the best for me and my family.\” His wife, his team, and himself agreed that \”this is the right decision.\”
\”What I missed most was the ability to have my family with me all the time,\” Koepka said. All the greater is the joy that his wife and son can now accompany him: \”My wife is coming this week, my son is coming this week and also next week.\” Over the past years, his perspective has changed a lot. \”I have grown a lot in recent years – especially in the last months. Being close to my family is very important to me.\”
Looking back, Koepka does not regret his path. \”I have learned a lot and enjoyed the journey wherever I was,\” he explained. Yet he looks forward with visible motivation: \”I am excited about this new chapter and grateful to be here.\” He especially thanked those who made his return possible: \”Brian Rolapp, Jay (Monahan), Tiger (Woods) – I am super thankful to all who made this possible.\”
The first call was to Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods was the first person Koepka called when he was released from LIV Golf and decided to seek a return to the PGA Tour. \”I’ve always had a good relationship with Tiger and wanted to do exactly that. When I got the chance to play on the PGA Tour again, it was exciting, but honestly, I didn’t quite know what to do. Tiger was the first person I thought of,\” Koepka said. He added that Woods is someone he could rely on in the past for questions and problems and that this call was \”the most comfortable decision\” for him