Brooks Koepka revealed the primary particular person he known as when he was launched from his LIV contract was Tiger Woods, to debate his return to the PGA Tour.
The five-time main winner ended his cope with the Saudi breakaway sequence a 12 months early as he wished to spend extra time at house together with his household.
Woods, who in addition to being a 15-time main winner is chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competitions Committee, continues to be the participant his contemporaries look as much as and Koepka knew he was his first level of contact.
“I think the 23rd (of December) I was released and then called Tiger right away, then that process got the ball rolling,” mentioned Koepka forward of his first occasion again, the Farmers Insurance coverage Open at Torrey Pines, which is stay on Sky Sports activities from Thursday.
“I’ve at all times had a great relationship with Tiger. That was what I wished to do as soon as I had the chance to, I assume, get reinstated on the PGA Tour.
“It was thrilling and I form of actually did not know what to do. That was the primary person who form of got here to thoughts.
“I did not know (the brand new commissioner) Brian (Rolapp), I did not have a relationship with him clearly simply because he is fairly new and Jay (Monahan, the earlier incumbent) was going to be the subsequent name.
“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 mentioned he started contemplating a return across the Ryder Cup in September after some household points – his spouse Jena revealed in October she had had a miscarriage.
However as soon as he had made his resolution and agreed a launch with LIV, his return occurred inside a matter of weeks because the PGA Tour actually re-wrote their guidelines to open a really particular window for him – and in addition fellow defectors Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith – to come back again.
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Gamers have their say on Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour beneath the brand new Returning Member Program, following his departure from LIV Golf
“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 forward of his first occasion again.
“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 believe the nervousness in all probability was extra for this (press convention), to get this out of the way in which to be fairly truthful.
“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.”
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Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Weir discusses why Brooks Koepka has been allowed to return to the PGA Tour after leaving LIV Golf beneath the brand new Returning Member Program
Requested whether or not he thought the rift between LIV and the PGA Tour, who agreed a framework deal nearly three years in the past which has but to come back to fruition, could possibly be mounted, Koepka mentioned: “I have no clue.
“I’ve not been part of the conversations on both aspect. It is out of my palms 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 all the pieces they wished” on the circuit, following Koepka’s decision to return to the PGA Tour.
“I believe it says extra about Brooks than the rest,” McIlroy said after Boston Common Golf’s win on Monday night. “He clearly is a really aggressive particular person and needs to compete on the highest stage.
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Rory McIlroy hit his longest-ever TGL drive as he helped information Boston Widespread to a different win in TGL season two
“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 looks as if a few of these guys are possibly beginning to realise they are not getting all the pieces that they wished out of going over there, and that is clearly a fantastic factor for the PGA Tour.”
‘Koepka should be welcomed back’
Sky Sports Golf’s Rob Lee, speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast:
“For anybody that wishes to have a go at Brooks Koepka coming again to the PGA Tour, the explanation the Signature Occasions – for $20m (£14.5m) – even exist is as a result of 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 by no means bad-mouthed the PGA Tour when he went to LIV Golf. I do not consider he would even have gone there if he thought he had 10 years of longevity on the PGA Tour, as a result of injury-wise it did not look nice 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 believe he [Koepka] has missed it and I believe everybody on that follow floor ought to welcome Brooks Koepka again.”
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 activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
