Brooks Kopeka reveals Tiger Woods was the first person he called as he sought to return to PGA Tour from LIV Golf
Brooks Kopeka revealed that Tiger Woods played a key role in his return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf; watch Kopeka's PGA Tour return at the Farmers Insurance Open live on Sky Sports Golf from 5pm on Thursday
Tuesday 27 January 2026 19:16, UK
Brooks Koepka revealed the first person he called when he was released from his LIV contract was Tiger Woods, to discuss his return to the PGA Tour.
The five-time major winner ended his deal with the Saudi breakaway series a year early as he wanted to spend more time at home with his family.
Woods, who as well as being a 15-time major winner is chairman of the PGA Tour's Future Competitions Committee, is still the player his contemporaries look up to and Koepka knew he was his first point of contact.
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"I think the 23rd (of December) I was released and then called Tiger right away, then that process got the ball rolling," said Koepka ahead of his first event back, the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, which is live on Sky Sports from Thursday.
"I've always had a good relationship with Tiger. That was what I wanted to do once I had the opportunity to, I guess, get reinstated on the PGA Tour.
"It was exciting and I kind of really didn't know what to do. That was the first person that kind of came to mind.
"I didn't know (the new commissioner) Brian (Rolapp), I didn't have a relationship with him obviously just because he's pretty new and Jay (Monahan, the previous incumbent) was going to be the next call.
"I felt like Tiger was somebody that I've relied on in the past for questions and answers and how to deal with things and I felt like that was maybe the most comfortable call for me."
Koepka said he began considering a return around the Ryder Cup in September after some family issues - his wife Jena revealed in October she had had a miscarriage.
But once he had made his decision and agreed a release with LIV, his return happened within a matter of weeks as the PGA Tour literally re-wrote their rules to open a very specific window for him - and also fellow defectors Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith - to come back.
"I don't regret anything I do. I've learned a lot. I've always enjoyed the ride no matter where I'm at," added Koepka, who admitted he was nervous ahead of his first event back.
"At the same time, I'm excited for this new chapter, grateful to be out here. For Brian Rolapp, Jay, Tiger, everybody that was able to get me out here, I'm super grateful for it and I'm excited.
"I think the nervousness probably was more for this (press conference), to get this out of the way to be quite fair.
"I'm maybe a little bit 'antsy' to get to Thursday just so I can get back to playing golf and that's where I feel the most comfortable but I was definitely nervous just for this."
Asked whether he thought the rift between LIV and the PGA Tour, who agreed a framework deal almost three years ago which has yet to come to fruition, could be fixed, Koepka said: "I have no clue.
"I've not been a part of the conversations on either side. It's out of my hands and my job is to go play golf and tee it up on Thursday."
McIlroy: LIV players not getting everything they wanted
Rory McIlroy believes some of LIV Golf League's players feel they are "not getting everything they wanted" on the circuit, following Koepka's decision to return to the PGA Tour.
"I think it says more about Brooks than anything else," McIlroy said after Boston Common Golf's win on Monday night. "He obviously is a very competitive person and wants to compete at the highest level.
"I think he made the decision that he thought competing at the highest level meant coming back to the PGA Tour. You've seen others say this recently - Patrick Reed said it in Dubai last week.
"It seems like some of those guys are maybe starting to realise they're not getting everything that they wanted out of going over there, and that's obviously a great thing for the PGA Tour."
'Koepka should be welcomed back'
Sky Sports Golf's Rob Lee, speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast:
"For anyone that wants to have a go at Brooks Koepka coming back to the PGA Tour, the reason the Signature Events - for $20m (£14.5m) - even exist is because LIV Golf fell out of the sky.
"Everyone should welcome Koepka back, because the PGA Tour want it to be the best product it can possibly be, with the best players and the biggest eyeballs around the world. Brooks Koepka still has the allure of a top, top player that has a bit of swagger.
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"The camera likes him and he's interesting. He feels like he's the lone stallion in the field - you don't put another horse into the field that he's walking around in.
"Koepka never bad-mouthed the PGA Tour when he went to LIV Golf. I don't believe he would even have gone there if he thought he had 10 years of longevity on the PGA Tour, because injury-wise it didn't look great when he went to LIV.
"For anyone that is playing LIV and can't play PGA Tour golf, watching Scheffler play at the Amex must make you think that you're missing out on so much. You're not going to get better as a player by staying at LIV Golf and Koepka absolutely knows that.
"I think he [Koepka] has missed it and I think everyone on that practice ground should welcome Brooks Koepka back."
Who will win the Farmers Insurance Open? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Early coverage begins on Thursday from 5pm on Sky Sports Golf, ahead of full coverage from 8pm. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
