Brooks Koepka's return and what it means for the PGA Tour

"Koepka was ranked 10th in the world then, had just finished runner-up at the PGA Championship (his 10th top-10 finish in a major in his past 15 appearances) and boasted the fourth-best odds to win that week. His aura was unmistakable then -- he had four majors to his name and had engineered a reputation for himself that exuded a kind of cool carelessness matched only by his effortless confidence on the sport's biggest stages."

"On Tuesday at Torrey Pines, nearly five years since that U.S. Open, still sporting Nike clothing but now under the PGA Tour banner -- not LIV's -- once again, a different Koepka surfaced. He was mild-mannered and sheepish, grateful for the opportunity to return yet not exactly an open book having crossed the picket fence in professional golf's chasm yet again."

Brooks Koepka entered the 2021 U.S. Open as a top-10 player with four major titles, consistent major top-10 finishes, and strong pre-tournament odds. He publicly expressed confidence in major events in 2019, asserting a mental edge over many competitors. Nearly five years later at Torrey Pines, Koepka presented a subdued demeanor after switching from LIV back to the PGA Tour, describing increased nervousness and unfamiliarity with many players. Official rankings place him far lower now (255th OWGR, 162nd Data Golf), and recent results include five missed cuts in eight non-LIV starts and three missed cuts at majors last year.

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