LA JOLLA, Calif. — Professional golfers rarely offer outsiders a look into their personal bubble, let alone their feelings and emotions. That's why when Brooks Koepka admitted he was nervous, it was a bit shocking to hear, though not entirely surprising.
The 35-year-old and five-time major champion is making his return to the PGA Tour this week after a nearly 4-year stretch competing on LIV Golf. However, after being granted his release on Dec. 23, he's back on the PGA Tour for this week's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, with his first-round tee time Thursday marking one of the most highly-anticipated returns in the sports' history.
And Koepka expressed nervousness around his return.
"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. Yeah, there's a lot of guys I don't know over the past I guess three and a half years. There's a lot of new faces, but excited to meet those guys and feel like I'm part of the Tour."
There have been plenty of changes on the PGA Tour since Koepka last teed it up. There are plenty of new faces, some of whom he has gotten to meet already, whether it be at major championships or at the Ryder Cup in 2023. There are new sponsors, some new courses and plenty of competitive changes, from playing opportunities to purses and more.
The Tour is nothing like it was when Koepka left. And to be fair, he's nothing like he was when he left, either.
"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," Koepka said. "But I was definitely nervous just for this. Seeing guys, I mean, I was kind of overwhelmed at the text messages that I received from guys on both sides and I think that was — it meant a lot to me. And like I said, I'm grateful, I'm excited and I just want to get back to playing golf."
Koepka repeatedly mentioned his family when talking about his reasons for now being the right time to return. But he also talked about not knowing what to expect from the fans come Thursday.
"Maybe I'm a little nervous about that as well just to see how the fans respond to it," Koepka said. "I hope that they're excited. I hope that they're happy that I'm out here. You know, hopefully that goes, at least the conversations I've had with players that they're excited that I'm back and happy to see me play."
Koepka will be paired with Max Homa and Ludvig Aberg for the first two rounds at Torrey Pines.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Why Brooks Koepka said he is nervous to make PGA Tour return
