‘Game feels there’: Brooks on first round back on Tour<\/p>\n
Brooks Koepka sat down with Todd Lewis after his opening round at the Farmers Insurance Open 2026. Koepka discussed how important it was to hear cheers from the crowd welcoming him back to the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n
But it was how he managed his emotions that was a far more meaningful way to measure Koepka\u2019s return. As the first player to return from LIV there was a unique level of uncertainty, and he spent the last few days mulling how he\u2019d be greeted by fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just care. I care about what everybody\u2019s thinking out here, what everybody\u2019s doing, and just trying to be as good of a person and good of a player as I can be,\u201d he explained when asked why he was nervous. \u201cJust wanted a warm reception. Just like everybody else, you walk into a room nobody wants to feel exiled, they just want to be loved. I mean, that\u2019s human nature I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although it was a perfectly understandable human reaction to what has obviously been an emotional few weeks, that kind of soul searching coming from a player whose brand was bravado and limitless self-confidence speaks to how the last 3 \u00bd years away from the Tour has softened Koepka\u2019s famously sharp edges.<\/p>\n
Vulnerability always comes with trailblazing, and Koepka has embraced the unknowns of his return. The next few months will likely be filled with plenty of firsts, but his own messaging will provide an important constant \u2014 appreciation for the opportunity.<\/p>\n
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