January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nThe American finished 11 shots behind leader Justin Rose, who opened with a 62 on the easier North course.<\/p>\n
Young gun Karl Vilips and veteran Jason Day, both five-under 67, were the pick of the Australians and in a share of 14th spot.<\/p>\n
A large gallery followed Koepka around on a glorious day along the Pacific bluffs with occasional shouts of, “Welcome back, Brooks”.<\/p>\n
On his way to the second tee, two young boys called out to him and Koepka walked over for fist bumps. He walked the entire 30 yards of a fence where fans wanted his autograph after his 1-over 73.<\/p>\n
“I care about what everybody’s thinking out here, what everybody’s doing, and just trying to be as good of a person and good of a player as I can be,” Koepka said.<\/p>\n
“Just wanted a warm reception. Just like everybody else, you walk into a room, nobody wants to feel exiled. They just want to be loved.”<\/p>\n
Koepka said he felt nervous on the first tee, though it didn’t show. He piped his drive 301 yards at sea level into the fairway, one of his better iron shots of the day to 10 feet and missed his putt.<\/p>\n
“I guess I should have been more nervous the rest of the round,” Koepka said.<\/p>\n
Koepka was freed from the final year of his nine-figure contract with LIV Golf on December 23, applied for his PGA Tour membership about two weeks later and in three days was provided a path back.<\/p>\n
“I’m the only one in the entire world that’s going through this situation so it’s very difficult to explain,” Koepka said.<\/p>\n
“But I’m enjoying it, I really am.”<\/p>\n
He will soon have company, with former Masters champion Patrick Reed leaving LIV Golf with a chance to return to the PGA Tour as early as September.<\/p>\n
Koepka didn’t see that coming and only learned about it during his pro-am Wednesday.<\/p>\n
“Yeah, it’s wild,” Koepka said.<\/p>\n
“Whatever Patrick wants to do and to be the best golfer he can be, best for his family, I’m in full support of that.”<\/p>\n