240410 Brooks Koepka of the United States during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2024 Masters Golf Tournament on April 10, 2024 in Augusta. Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRAN / kod PA / PA0791 bbeng golf masters the masters Augusta us masters *** 240410 Brooks Koepka of the United States during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2024 Masters Golf Tournament on April 10, 2024 in Augusta Photo Petter Arvidson BILDBYRAN kod PA PA0791 bbeng golf masters the masters Augusta us masters PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxAUT Copyright: PETTERxARVIDSON BB240410PA130
Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour has a strange side effect. The five-time major champion says fellow pros are thanking him every single week.
During the interaction with the press at Ponte Vedra Beach, a media person asked Koepka if Lanto Griffin or Carson Young ever publicly thanked him for playing in a tournament since his presence got them into the field.
And the 35-year-old confirmed, “There's been a few guys... I think every week somebody's thanked me, which has been kind of weird,” Koepka admitted. “Just never been thanked for playing an event before.”
With Koepka on the field for THE PLAYERS Championship, the officials expanded the field from 121 players to 123 players to round out threesomes. Patton Kizzire and Seamus Power were the two names added to the field because of Koepka.
Golfers being thankful to Koepka isn't a surprise. His return from LIV hinted that the Tour is ready to ensure that it stays strong and is able to feature the best players. With a five-time major champion returning, perhaps we'll see more players take advantage of the Returning Member Program.
Brooks Koepka Needs Time To Know Everyone on the PGA Tour
Koepka was away from the PGA Tour for about four years. And during that time, a lot has changed from the members to the courses.
When the media asked if he knew the people who thanked him, he said, “There was definitely some I didn't know.”
“I don't know if this is a guess, but 30 percent of this TOUR I don't know right now. I'm knowing more guys just being out here, but it's going to take me a few more weeks.”
Additionally, he seemed “pretty open” to anyone from the LIV Golf who wants to return to the PGA Tour. He still texts people, regardless of the tour they’re playing for. He repeatedly confirmed that “anybody can reach out.”
Trending slideshow: Everything Brooks Koepka Has Done in the Last 4 Years to This Day
Eknoor Juneja
Everything Brooks Koepka Has Done in the Last 4 Years to This DayBrooks Koepka doesn’t follow golf’s script, he tears it up. Over the past 4 years, he’s gone from PGA Tour force to LIV Golf defector to golf’s most unpredictable free agent. This isn’t just a list of wins or contracts. It’s the story of a player who measures his career by majors, not money, and makes decisions that shake the sport. From record-setting performances to headline-making exits, this is how Koepka reshaped modern golf on his own terms. Brian Spurlock/Imago/Icon SportswireBrooks started this 4-year cycle by reminding the world he was still a closer. He surged from 5 shots back on Sunday to claim his 8th career PGA Tour title. This victory was a massive statement after a winless 2020 showing that he could still dominate traditional fields. It proved that when his putter got hot, he was virtually impossible to stop on the back 9. Thos Caffrey/Imago/GolffileThe narrative shifted quickly from winning to surviving as Koepka underwent intense surgery on his right knee in March 2021. He famously competed at the Masters just weeks after the procedure, but the physical limitations were obvious. This period signified a rare vulnerability in a player known for being an immovable force. It was a dark time when his future as an elite athlete was truly in question. JD Cuban/Imago/BildbyranIn a move that changed the sport forever, Brooks signed a reported 100 million dollar deal to join the rival league. He cited the lighter schedule as a way to preserve his aging knees for the four majors he truly cared about. This signified a shift from a career focused on volume to one focused on precision and financial security. The golf world was left stunned by his sudden departure. Petter Arvidson/Imago/BildbyranKoepka found the winner’s circle again in Saudi Arabia by defeating Peter Uihlein in a dramatic playoff. This was his 1st taste of victory in over 20 months, and it brought him to tears on the green. It proved that his competitive fire was still burning bright despite the change in scenery. This win validated his decision to move and showed his game was finally recovering. Petter Arvidson/Imago/BildbyrånAugusta National witnessed the return of the major championship version of Brooks as he held the 54-hole lead. Though he ultimately lost to Jon Rahm on Sunday, it sent a clear message to the PGA Tour. This performance signified that LIV golfers were still elite competitors capable of winning the biggest events. It was a massive moral victory for his legacy, even without the green jacket. Thos Caffrey/Imago/GolffileBrooks officially entered the pantheon of all-time greats by winning his 3rd PGA Championship and 5th major title. He dominated a world-class field to become the 1st active LIV player to win a major trophy. This win put him in the company of legends like Byron Nelson and Seve Ballesteros. It solidified his reputation as the greatest big game hunter of his generation. Mathias Bergald/Imago/BildbyranHe became the 1st-ever 2-time winner on the LIV circuit at the LIV Golf Orlando event. He held off a surging field at Orange County National to prove he was the king of the new format. This win was the perfect springboard for his summer dominance in the majors. It showed that he didn't need 72 holes to find his rhythm and k*** off a tournament. Rich Graessle/Imago/Icon SportswireKoepka made history by becoming the first and only professional to win 5 individual LIV Golf events. His victory at Greenbrier was a masterclass in modern power golf as he overpowered the course with ease. This stat signified that he was the undisputed face of the league’s competitive side. He had successfully conquered the 54-hole sprint while maintaining his major championship standard. JD Cuban/Imago/BildbyranWhile critics focused on the politics, the math was undeniable as Brooks accumulated nearly fifty million dollars in earnings on the course alone. This astronomical sum came from just a handful of events compared to the grueling PGA Tour schedule, and doesn't include his reported $100M signing bonus. He effectively maximized his value while playing the best golf of his life. Steven Flynn/Imago/GolffileLife off the course changed forever when Brooks and his wife Jena welcomed their 1st child into the world. Becoming a father seemed to mellow his public persona while providing a new motivation for his career. This personal milestone gave him a reason to seek a more stable and traditional schedule. It was a quiet shift that would eventually lead to his biggest career decision yet. Petter Arvidson/Imago/BildbyranAs captain of Smash GC, Brooks showed his ruthless leadership style by publicly calling out his teammate, Matthew Wolff. He criticized Wolff’s effort and mental game, creating a rift that lasted for months. This signified that Brooks was not at LIV to just collect a check, he wanted to build a winning culture. It was a rare look at the high standards he expects from himself and others. David Young/Imago/Action PlusDespite his earlier success, the 2025 season saw a noticeable decline in his statistical performance, finishing 31st in the individual standings. He struggled with consistency in the majors and failed to find the winner's circle for the 1st time in years. This dip in form led to internal frustration and rumors that he was losing interest in the team format. It was a sign that the fire was flickering in the current environment. Alex Todd/ImagoWhispers began to circulate that Brooks was missing the intensity and legacy of the original tour. Sources suggested he wanted to compete against the strongest fields every week to keep his edge sharp for the majors. This context was crucial as fans began to speculate about a potential defection back to his roots. He seemed like a man searching for a new challenge to reignite his game. Matthew Bolt/Imago/Icon SportswireIn the biggest news of 2025, Brooks officially parted ways with LIV Golf after 4 seasons. The separation was described as a mutual decision to "prioritize the needs of his family and stay closer to home." This signifies the end of an era for the league as its biggest star walked away, choosing his personal life over the remaining contract duration. David Young/Imago/Action PlusAs of today, Brooks stands as the most sought-after free agent in the history of the sport. With his 2023 PGA win, he remains exempt for all four majors and is eligible to join the DP World Tour immediately. The golf world now waits to see where the 5-time major winner tees it up next, as he will be ineligible for the PGA Tour until at least August 2026 due to a 1-year suspension. Fran Caffrey/Imago/Golffile
