Brooks Koepka said Tiger Woods was the first person he contacted after deciding to return to the PGA Tour. The five time major champion recently had his Tour membership reinstated under the new Returning Member Program and will make his comeback this week at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Koepka explained that once his return became official, calling Woods felt like the right step.

Koepka said he has often leaned on Woods for advice throughout his career and felt comfortable reaching out during such a big moment.

Earlier this month, Woods also welcomed Koepka’s return, saying it was good for the game and that fans want to see top players competing against each other again.

Koepka shared that the idea of coming back began around the Ryder Cup in September following family matters. After leaving LIV Golf, the PGA Tour created a one time pathway that allowed him to return within weeks. The American will now tee it up at Torrey Pines in his first PGA Tour event since 2022.

Brooks Koepka admits his return to the PGA Tour has come with a few nerves as he prepares to tee it up again this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.

After spending nearly four years playing on LIV Golf, Koepka is back on the Tour and said the feeling is different from what he remembers.

“I think it feels a little bit different,” Koepka said Tuesday at a pre-tournament news conference.

“I’m definitely a little bit more nervous this week just coming back. But it feels good. I’m super grateful to be back.”

Koepka explained that the Tour has changed since he last played full time with many new players now in the field. While he has crossed paths with some of them at majors and the Ryder Cup, this week will be his first real chance to settle back in. He also admitted the buildup has felt strange compared to simply showing up and playing.

“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,” Koepka said.

While family played a big role in his decision to come back, Koepka said he is also unsure what reaction he will get from fans.

“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.”

Koepka’s past results at the Farmers Insurance Open have been mixed, with only one made cut in four appearances. Still, he has enjoyed success at Torrey Pines before, finishing tied for fourth at the 2021 U.S. Open.

For the opening two rounds this week, Brooks Koepka will play alongside Max Homa and Ludvig Åberg.

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