Brooks Koepka teed off Thursday in his hometown event, the Cognizant Classic at PGA National, marking his third start since rejoining the PGA Tour after a nearly four-year stint with LIV Golf and signaling a determined push to regain form ahead of the Masters in April.

American Brooks Koepka made his debut in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series in Oregon
American Brooks Koepka

Koepka, grouped with Will Zalatoris and Daniel Berger, started his round on the Champion Course at 12:23 p.m. local time, drawing significant local attention as the five-time major champion plays the tournament for the first time since 2022. The 35-year-old Palm Beach County native last competed here before defecting to the Saudi-backed LIV circuit, where he won multiple individual titles but saw his world ranking plummet.

Koepka's return began in January under the PGA Tour's new Returning Member Program, which required a $5 million charitable contribution — an obligation he began fulfilling this week with funds directed through PGA Tour Charities. The donation, part of his reinstatement agreement alongside forfeiting player equity for five years and waiving 2026 FedExCup bonus eligibility, has been a focal point of discussions around his comeback.

Performance-wise, the transition has been uneven. At the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Koepka posted rounds of 73-68-73-70 for a 4-under 284 total, finishing tied for 56th and earning $22,176. The following week at the WM Phoenix Open, he missed the cut after shooting 75-69 for 2-over 144, struggling particularly on the greens. He has ranked 171st in strokes gained putting this season, losing over two shots per round on average.

To address the issue, Koepka switched to a TaylorMade Spider mallet putter ahead of Phoenix, a change he believes will yield improvement now that he has more time to adapt. "Putting should be a lot better," he said in pre-tournament comments, expressing optimism about the flat stick staying in the bag at PGA National.

The Florida swing offers Koepka a chance to build rhythm close to home. As a Jupiter resident and new father to son Crew, he cited family proximity as the primary reason for leaving LIV Golf late last year. "Just my family," he told reporters earlier, emphasizing the personal motivation over financial or competitive factors. Being back in South Florida allows more time with loved ones while competing on familiar turf.

Koepka has described his PGA Tour return as "enjoyable," noting positive feedback from peers despite some initial frostiness anticipated by observers. Many players have welcomed him back, viewing his departure from LIV as a validation of the Tour's strength and a blow to the rival league's credibility. An undercover pro quoted in Golf Digest expressed relief and even enthusiasm, noting Koepka's public comments during his LIV tenure — including regrets tied to health issues — had already undermined the Saudi circuit's appeal.

Currently ranked No. 263 in the Official World Golf Ranking — a sharp drop from his 38-week reign at No. 1 starting in 2019 — Koepka aims to climb back into contention through consistent play. He has committed to upcoming events including The Players Championship (March 12-15), Valspar Championship (March 19-22), and the Texas Children's Houston Open (March 26-29), setting up a busy stretch before Augusta National.

In press conferences ahead of the Cognizant Classic, Koepka discussed his current form, legacy, and preparations for the Masters. He praised emerging talents like Chris Gotterup, who has won twice in 2026, while subtly positioning himself as a future challenger. "Pretty good, considering he's won twice," Koepka said of Gotterup. "I would say that's a name that probably sticks out right now."

The Cognizant Classic field lacks top-tier star power, with only one player ranked in the top 30 of the OWGR, making Koepka a standout attraction and betting favorite in some markets at around +2900. The Champion Course, known for its challenging Bear Trap stretch on holes 15-17, has seen winning scores rise in recent years compared to Koepka's prior appearances, where totals hovered around 6- to 10-under.

Koepka's major pedigree remains undeniable: five wins including three PGA Championships and back-to-back U.S. Opens. His LIV success — five individual victories, including playoffs against Jon Rahm — demonstrated sustained elite play, but the 54-hole, team-inclusive format differed markedly from the PGA Tour's 72-hole stroke play with larger fields.

As he readjusts, Koepka has emphasized putting himself in contention multiple times before Augusta. A strong showing this week could provide the confidence boost needed after early setbacks. Local fans, many of whom watched him grow up in the area and even carry scoring signs as a junior, have turned out in force, adding emotional weight to the homecoming.

Whether Koepka contends or uses the event as a stepping stone, his return injects intrigue into the PGA Tour's 2026 season. With family priorities driving his decisions and major championships on the horizon, the five-time major winner appears motivated to reclaim his place among golf's elite.