Brooks Koepka returned to PGA Tour action for the first time since June 2022 on Thursday.
Koepka teed it up at the Farmers Insurance Open this week after being reinstated as a PGA Tour member earlier this month.
The 35-year-old unceremoniously jumped ship from the PGA Tour nearly four years ago now, in order to join LIV Golf.
However, playing on LIV obviously failed to fulfil him.
Koepka was well received by the fans on his PGA Tour return on Thursday at Torrey Pines.
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Koepka has admitted that he missed playing on the PGA Tour during his time with LIV.
Brooks Koepka explains what’s ‘blown his mind’ since PGA Tour return
The American was incredibly keen to get his first tee shot at Torrey Pines out of the way on Thursday morning.
However, once he had done that he settled into his round quickly.
The five-time major winner spoke to reporters immediately after his first round back on the PGA Tour.
Firstly, Koepka was asked what has made him fall in love with the game again.
“It wasn’t that you fall out of it, but I think you can fall deeper in love with it,“ the American admitted.
“I mean, I haven’t played competitively for I think Rickie said 14 weeks, so it’s a lot of time off, a lot of time to think, a lot of time to reflect. If you do that for a while sitting on the couch, you can go pretty deep on what you feel. I’m just excited.“
He was then asked what he is appreciating right now, specifically.
“Everything,“ Koepka exclaimed.
“Just the opportunity to be out here. I think that’s the main thing. Just being out here and seeing how quickly this has all kind of come together.
“It’s kind of blown my mind and I’m just grateful to be out here and have a chance to compete with these guys.“
Finally, Koepka was asked if he ever doubted that he would be back playing on the PGA Tour so quickly.
He said: “No. I understood what — when I contacted them, I knew there’s a possibility I could be out for a while.
“But it’s just like anything, if there’s a penalty to be paid to get out here and get back, I was going to do whatever the Tour needed me to do. It was very simple. Whatever they wanted, I was willing to do.
“Obviously got a call Thursday night and went up there to see Brian on Friday and he told me everything.
“Yeah, I was very obviously happy with it. I just didn’t know what all it was going to entail. Even flying up there, I had no clue.“
Brooks Koepka’s road back to the top of the PGA Tour
Of course, Koepka has committed to play in the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the Cognizant Classic in February.
It will be fascinating to watch him closely during the next couple of tournaments he plays.
He will likely grow more comfortable with his surroundings every single time he tees it up.
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You just know that Koepka will be desperate to turn up and produce the goods at the major championships this year.
Competing under the most intense pressure is where he feels most comfortable.
And if anyone can rediscover their best form in the very biggest events of them all, Koepka can.
However, some patience will be required from both Koepka and, indeed, his fans.
It won’t be easy for the Floridian to seamlessly slot back into life on the PGA Tour. However, his opening round at Torrey Pines proved that he’s in the right place.
Now it’s up to Koepka to work as hard as he can on his game, as he looks to win on the PGA Tour once again.


