As Brooks Koepka prepares for his PGA Tour return, a new challenge awaits

Brooks Koepka is nervous. This is not a sentence often associated with the five-time major champion and golf’s preeminent big game hunter.

But it was Koepka on Tuesday at Torrey Pines, reintroducing himself as a member of the PGA Tour AFTER his departure from LIV Golftalking about the nerves he was feeling. Nervous about the press conference. Nervous to be in front of PGA Tour fans again. The nerves of having what he expects will be tough conversations with some of the PGA Tour members who never left. Koepka said he was “eager” to get into Thursday’s first round at the Farmers Insurance Open. He wants to be inside the ropes, where a fighter is most comfortable.

Brooks Koepka is nervous, yes. But something else is hidden beneath the nerves. Something that looks more like the Brooks Koepka we’ve come to know over the last decade: a competitive thrill.

Koepka returns to a PGA Tour that looks different than the one he left in 2022. It’s a PGA Tour now looking at world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who has won 20 times in a little less than three years. When Koepka left for LIV in June 2022, Scheffler was just beginning his ascent after reeling off four wins in six starts, including the 2022 Masters. Another thing that’s changed since Koepka was last a Tour member? McIlroy’s career Masters Grand Slam win last year matched Koepka’s leading total; his major advantage over McIlroy is gone.

“Obviously, Scottie has been dominant, I think is probably the right word,” Koepka said Tuesday. “Yeah, Rory’s five now. I don’t think anybody’s shocked by that if you’ve watched golf over the last few years, how well those guys are playing. I’m excited to battle them. I think it’s going to be really fun. I think just the competitive side of me, obviously, you obviously want to do a little bit better than now, but that’s right to do Scottie.

“I’m excited about it. I want to play with those guys, see where I’m at and how I can improve.”

How often Koepka will face McIlroy and Scheffler will be up to him. He is out of the majors and is in the field at the Players Championship. But as part of his deal to return to the PGA Tour, Koepka must play his way into Signature Events. He is not entitled to receive a sponsor’s invitation.

That suits Brooks Koepka just fine.

A big killer who thrives on the little things—whether real or perceived—loves the thought of having to prove himself again. Before there was Brooks Koepka that Brooks Koepka, he was a DP World Tour grinder with plenty of talent and a chip on his shoulder to prove he belonged among the best in the world.

Now, through his actions and instructions “Returning Member Program”, he has to do it again.

“That’s the fun part, I love the grind, I always have,” Koepka said of having to play his way into Signature Events. “I think it’s a fresh start for me, which is great. It’s just another chapter in my book. I’m excited about it. I feel like my game is in pretty good shape and I want to see where it’s at. Obviously, this week is a little bit different. But yeah, I’d just like to get this week over with and just feel like I can start playing golf again.

“I’d like to try to get into those Signature events and play well, but I know I have to win it and I’m looking forward to that challenge,” Koepka added. “It would be something where it would be a little different place and I got to work my tail off and I’m excited about that.”

Brooks Koepka, nervous? He’s also a bit of a champion. To face a new challenge, to start a different chapter, to be a member of the PGA Tour again. He’s excited to show that he’s still Brooks Koepka, five-time major winner and generational champion.

Don’t wait for the nerves to last. that Brooks Koepka has a time for Thursday and a new mountain to climb.