Brooks Koepka Reveals Family as Driving Force Behind Return to the PGA Tour
The five-time Major champion, Brooks Koepka, cited a desire to spend more time with his family as the primary reason for leaving LIV Golf and returning to the PGA Tour, revealing a deeply personal motivation behind his high-profile move. Koepka addressed the media on January 27, 2026, outlining the circumstances that led to his decision and expressing excitement for the challenges ahead.
Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour marks a significant moment in the ongoing saga between the tour and LIV Golf. The decision came after a period of reflection, beginning around September, when “circumstances changed in my family a little bit,” prompting conversations about prioritizing time at home. He officially parted ways with LIV on December 23rd, immediately reaching out to golf legend Tiger Woods. “Once I had the opportunity to get reinstated on the PGA Tour I thought he would be the best guy to call,” Koepka stated, adding that Jay Monahan was his intended second call.
The shift represents a change in lifestyle for Koepka and his family. While on LIV Golf, his wife and son did not travel extensively with him. “What did I miss most? The ability to have my family out with me here, because they didn’t travel too much while I was on LIV,” he explained. His wife and son are now scheduled to attend events this week and next, a prospect he finds “super exciting.” He emphasized that being close to his family is “really important” and that his decision was ultimately about doing “what was best for me and my family.”
Koepka acknowledged feeling some nerves ahead of his first PGA Tour event since his return, the Farmers Insurance Open, where he will tee off alongside Ludvig Aberg and Max Homa on Thursday. “I’m a little nervous on that as well to see how the fans respond to me. I hope they’re excited and happy that I’m out here,” he said. Despite the nerves, he expressed gratitude for the overwhelmingly positive reception he’s received from fellow players, caddies, officials, and fans. “I was touched by the number of guys – on both sides – who reached out to me,” he noted, estimating around 15 players extended their support.
Looking ahead, Koepka has a busy schedule planned, including upcoming tournaments at Waste Management, the Cognizant Classic, The Players Championship, and “as much as possible before The Masters.” He also hinted at potentially adding the Valspar Championship and Texas Open to his calendar. He expressed enthusiasm for competing against top PGA Tour players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, stating, “I’m super excited to battle with a ‘dominant’ Scottie Scheffler and play against guys like Rory McIlroy to see how I can get better.”
While acknowledging he misses the camaraderie of his former LIV Golf colleagues – describing them as “one big travelling circus” – Koepka is focused on the future. He remains noncommittal regarding the political complexities between the PGA Tour and LIV, responding to questions with a diplomatic “I’m two days back in.” He also declined to discuss any financial implications of leaving LIV early, stating, “I’d prefer to keep all that internal. Yasir and Scott were great.”
Koepka also addressed a $5 million charitable donation tied to his return, stating that discussions are ongoing to determine the recipient. He affirmed his commitment to his game, believing it is “in good shape” and expressing a desire to win on tour this year. He confirmed he hasn’t made any changes to his equipment, sticking with his trusted M2 driver.
Ultimately, Koepka’s decision appears to be rooted in a desire for a more balanced life, prioritizing family and a return to the competitive landscape of the PGA Tour. “I have no regrets,” he concluded. “I’m excited for everything I do. I’m super grateful for everyone who was able to get me out here.”
