For the 2026 season, Brooks Koepka made a big move. He jumped from LIV Golf back to the PGA Tour. During this return season, Koepka is rediscovering how different the two leagues operate. Specifically, Koepka is realizing that there are a few things he needs to do to keep up on the PGA.
Brooks Koepka’s Return
When Brooks Koepka returned, he found himself in decent standing for the Farmers’ Insurance Open. He made the cut but finished T56. Not too bad for his first tournament back on the PGA, but plenty of room for improvement. At the next event, the Phoenix Open, Koepka found himself on the wrong side of the cut. Not the best performance, but he was still able to keep up in the Farmers Insurance Open enough to make the cut.
Seeing Improvement
After his first two events not being entirely up to par with what he would like them to be, Koepka began training harder for the upcoming events. For the Cognizant Classic, he found himself in the top ten, tied for 9th. In the Players Championship, Koepka found himself in T13. Well within the top 20, and getting close to the top 10. During the Valspar Championship, Koepka was asked if his improvements were due to him getting more comfortable on the Tour. He responded by saying that he was just training harder, and also admitted that he was falling short in his putting.
“No, I just think it’s more reps,“ Koepka said. “First week, just wanted to make the cut and kind of get it over with. Then Phoenix just kind of exposed how bad the putting was. I was able to fix that, correct that, and made some adjustments, and here we are.“
Later on in the Valspar, Koepka was asked if he sees a win in the near future. Particularly with the current tournament. Koepka believes that the fields are in fair enough condition for that to be in the cards. Even more so as the weekend carries on.
“Just put the driver in play. If I can drive it as well as I did today, I’ll give myself a good chance. Just putted a little better. I think the greens are starting to firm up a little bit, which is nice. I like the way that it’s playing versus how it was playing yesterday.“
With a course in a condition like this, it is very much possible for Koepka to eke out his first PGA win since his return. However, with conditions easier on him, it will be easier on other players as well.
A Win For Koepka In 2026
For his first two events, Brooks Koepka has had a shaky start. However, as the season carries on, there has already been a noticeable improvement. After the Valspar Championship‘s third day, Koepka was on the edge of the top ten. If he doesn’t get a win for this tournament, it is very much possible for him to earn one for another 2026 event. Despite being away for a few years and being on a Tour with its own format, Koepka is already working his way back to the top of the charts in the PGA Tour.
Main Photo Credit: © Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
