Vulnerable has never been a word used to describe Brooks Koepka. Self-assured? Definitely. Cocky? Yes, and it was warranted—but never vulnerable. That all changed when Koepka uncharacteristically opened up about his emotional return to the PGA Tour.
Koepka, who retreated from LIV Golf to rejoin the PGA Tour this year, made his 2026 debut in the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Thursday. The five-time major champion fired a 1-over 73 with one birdie and two bogeys, but that wasn’t the biggest story from his first round back.
Brooks Koepka Shows New Soft Side in PGA Tour Return
“Because I care. I’ve fallen back in love with the game. Honestly, watching my son play a little bit, and wanting to be able to see him … well I guess watch me play
After the round, Koepka spoke to reporters and unveiled a completely different version of himself than the one we’re used to watching compete.
“I just care. I care about what everybody’s thinking out here, what everybody’s doing,” Koepka told reporters on Thursday, per the PGA Tour. “I’m just trying to be as good of a person and good of a player as I can be, so just wanted a warm reception. It’s just like everybody else. You walk into a room, nobody wants to feel exiled. They just want to be loved. That’s human nature, I think.”
Wait, what? This is the same man who, when asked on Netflix’s “Full Swing” what he thinks of his critics in 2023, said this: “I don’t care. They can think whatever they want to think.” It’s the same man who expertly played the villain role and consistently gave his playing competitors the cold shoulder in the heat of battle.
Now, all he wants is for those same competitors to like him.
Koepka Learned How to Love Golf Again
Koepka’s nonchalance on the golf course always painted the picture of a golfer who played for trophies over the love of the game, but that’s not the same player who showed up to Torrey Pines this week. This is a completely different version of Koepka—a friend, a father and a man who’s excited about this next chapter in his career.
“I’ve fallen back in love with the game,” he said. “Honestly, watching my son play a little bit and wanting to be able to see him watch me play well and realize how much this game’s given me, how fun it is and how cool it is to just be out here.”
Koepka also revealed he wassurprisingly nervous ahead of his first PGA Tour start since 2022, but the receptive fans at Torrey Pines helped ease him back into the groove.
“Yeah, it was great. The fans were awesome today,” he said. “I think it was very cool to hear ‘Welcome back.’ It was pretty much every hole, which was great. I loved to hear it, and I’m excited for the next few days.”
As excited as Koepka is for the rest of the Farmers Insurance Open and the 2026 season, golf fans should be even more thrilled to watch this new version of the 35-year-old. Koepka 2.0 is going to embrace this second chance and enjoy his time on the PGA Tour. And, who knows? A lighter, grateful approach to the game could be Koepka’s best path to major No. 6.
Vulnerable Brooks Koepka Unveils Shocking New Side of Himself