Nine-time PGA Tour winner Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour in January 2026 after spending about four years with the LIV Golf League. And after two months, he's opening up about how other players are treating him.

Ahead of the tournament, speaking during the Tuesday press conference at THE PLAYERS Championship, the five-time major champion was asked whether the reception from fellow players and fans matched his expectations. Koepka said:

“I didn't know what to expect, but the fans have been great. I'm still getting ‘welcome back’ as of yesterday, so I mean, it's a good feeling. It feels good to be back. I'm enjoying it. It's a lot of fun. And the players have been great too.”

Brooks Koepka’s return came through the Tour’s Returning Member Program, which allowed former members to rejoin under a set process. After a few years spent away from the Tour, he felt overwhelmed at the sight of new faces as well as messages welcoming him back.

But that's not all. Back in January, he admitted he was nervous about the fan reception. That's why the 35-year-old also added:

“I think that's kind of been the big thing. I didn't know how the reception was going to be… It's been exciting, it's been fun, and it makes it enjoyable to be out there.”

Since his return, the 2023 PGA Championship winner has played three events on the PGA Tour. He finished T56 at the Farmers Insurance Open, missed the cut at the WM Phoenix Open, and finished T9 at the Cognizant Classic. 

Koepka is competing this week at THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

Brooks Koepka Returns to THE PLAYERS Championship for First Start Since 2022

As part of the opening rounds at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Brooks Koepka is grouped with Akshay Bhatia and Tony Finau. 

The group is scheduled to tee off for the first round on Thursday, followed by the second round on Friday.

Looking at his record at the tournament, Koepka has not finished inside the top 10 in his previous appearances. In six starts at THE PLAYERS Championship, his best result came in 2018 when he finished tied for 11th after a final-round 63.

His most recent start at the tournament came in 2022, when he missed the cut after a second-round 81 and finished at 9-over.

What do you think about Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour? Will it lead to a strong run this season?

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Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar