Brooks Koepka Calls Tiger Woods First in PGA Tour Return

When Brooks Koepka got released from his LIV Golf contract on December 23rd, he knew exactly who to call first: Tiger Woods.

The five-time major champion didn't reach out to PGA Tour officials or his agent. He called the person who had always been there for guidance and answers.

"I've always had a good relationship with Tiger," Koepka said ahead of his return at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. "That was the first person that kind of came to mind."

Woods, who chairs the PGA Tour's Future Competitions Committee, helped get the ball rolling on Koepka's return within hours. The trust between them runs deep, built over years of Koepka turning to Woods for advice on handling pressure and making difficult choices.

Koepka's decision to leave LIV Golf a year early came down to something money can't buy: family time. He began seriously considering the move around last September's Ryder Cup, especially after personal challenges including his wife Jena's miscarriage in October.

"I didn't really know what to do," Koepka admitted. "Tiger was somebody that I've relied on in the past for questions and answers. That was maybe the most comfortable call for me."

The return happened remarkably fast. Within weeks of that first call to Woods, the PGA Tour created a pathway for Koepka and fellow LIV defectors Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith to rejoin.

Why This Inspires

This story shows what happens when relationships matter more than rivalries. Woods could have held grudges or stayed distant from players who left for the controversial Saudi-backed league. Instead, he answered the phone and helped bring one of golf's biggest stars home.

Koepka's choice to prioritize family over a lucrative contract reminds us that success isn't always measured in dollars. Sometimes the biggest win is simply being home for dinner.

Woods himself called the return "a win for everyone," and he's right. Fans get to watch the best compete together again, and Koepka gets something more valuable: time with the people who matter most.

Golf just got a little more united, one phone call at a time.