Brooks Koepka is making his PGA Tour comeback at the Farmers Insurance Open after leaving LIV Golf in December 2025. The five-time major winner cited family priorities as the key factor in his decision, following a miscarriage announced by his wife in October. He called Tiger Woods first upon his release, leading to his reinstatement via the Tour's new Returning Member Program.
Brooks Koepka, who joined LIV Golf in June 2022 after winning four majors on the PGA Tour, ended his contract with the Saudi-backed league on December 23, 2025, one year early. The 35-year-old Florida native, a three-time PGA Championship winner and two-time U.S. Open champion, explained that family circumstances shifted around September 2025 during Ryder Cup week in New York, prompting discussions about what was best for his wife Jena Sims and their 2.5-year-old son Crew.
"Just my family. A lot’s gone on over the past five, six months with my family. That played a big role into coming back," Koepka said during a January 27, 2026, press conference at Torrey Pines. Sims had shared in October 2025 that she suffered a miscarriage at 16 weeks. Koepka emphasized the importance of having his family travel with him more easily on the U.S.-centric PGA Tour schedule, unlike LIV's international focus.
Immediately after his release, Koepka contacted Tiger Woods, the 15-time major winner and PGA Tour policy board member. "I think the 23rd [of December] I was released and then called Tiger right away, then that process got the ball rolling," he said. Woods, chairman of the Tour's Future Competitions Committee, facilitated talks with CEO Brian Rolapp and former commissioner Jay Monahan. On January 12, 2026, the PGA Tour announced Koepka's return through the Returning Member Program, open to recent major winners like him, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith, with a February 2 deadline.
Under the program, Koepka agreed to a $5 million charity donation, no 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses, and ineligibility for Tour equity shares until 2031, potentially costing $50-85 million. He must qualify for signature events and play at least 15 events yearly. Koepka expressed nervousness about fan reception but noted positive responses from players, including texts from both sides.
"Maybe I'm a little nervous about that as well, just to see how the fans respond to it," he said. "I hope that they're excited. I hope that they're happy that I'm out here." Rory McIlroy praised the move, saying Koepka sought the highest competition level. Woods called it a "win for everyone."
Koepka tees off January 29, 2026, at Torrey Pines with Ludvig Åberg and Max Homa, his first non-major PGA Tour start since the 2022 WGC-Dell Match Play. He aims to earn signature event spots and contend, excited to battle Scottie Scheffler and McIlroy. "I love the grind," he said. His past Farmers results include three missed cuts in four starts, but he tied for fourth in the 2021 U.S. Open at the venue.
