Koepka received a positive welcome, carding a 73 in his return to the PGA Tour.
SAN DIEGO — Brooks Koepka experienced nerves. After a 14-week absence from competitive golf, as he approached the first tee at Torrey Pines’ South Course on Thursday, it was not his performance that concerned him.
In anticipation of his highly awaited return to the PGA Tour following the conclusion of his nearly four-year stint at LIV Golf last month, Koepka has been warmly received by both the tour and its players.
However, he expressed lingering apprehension regarding the type of welcome he would receive from the broader golf community.
“I was mainly focused on my image, what people thought or how the fans would react,” Koepka stated after finishing with a 1-over 73 on Thursday. “I care about what everyone is thinking out here … I just wanted a friendly reception, just like anyone else; nobody wants to feel isolated, everyone wants to be appreciated. I believe that’s human nature.”
Koepka’s concerns were alleviated by the crowd at nearly every tee and green, with many shouting, “Welcome back!” and “Great to have you back!” The five-time major champion drew the largest crowd of the day, exchanging fist bumps and high fives as he moved from hole to hole and took extra time after his round to sign autographs for fans.
“From the first tee onward, it was fantastic. It actually helped me relax a bit,” Koepka remarked. “It felt good just to be out here.”
This week, Koepka has displayed a somewhat different, more reserved aspect of himself, and on Thursday he noted that his time away from professional golf and watching his son grow and begin playing the sport has provided him with a fresh perspective, which he is embracing.
“I think I’ve rekindled my love for the game,” Koepka said. “It’s not that you fall out of love with it, but I believe you can deepen your affection for it. Fourteen weeks is a significant amount of time for contemplation and reflection. If you spend that time on the couch, you can delve deeply into your feelings. I’m just thrilled.”
Although he did not score a birdie until the 18th hole, Koepka appreciated the chance to be in this situation. He mentioned that just over a month ago, he was uncertain whether his choice to leave LIV would allow him to return to the PGA Tour as swiftly as he has.
“When I reached out to [the tour], I understood there was a chance I could be sidelined for a while,” he explained. “If there was a consequence to be faced to get back out here, I was prepared to do whatever the tour required. It was straightforward. Whatever they needed, I was ready to comply.”
Koepka battled on the significantly more challenging South Course on Thursday, and while he was somewhat dissatisfied with his driving — hitting only 6-of-14 fairways — he felt pleased with his performance and recognized that he would need time to regain his form.
“Just being out here and witnessing how quickly everything has come together is quite astonishing,” Koepka said. “I’m just thankful to be out here.”
