Brooks Koepka, the five-time major champion, is currently back in the spotlight, but not necessarily where one would expect him. Following his high-profile comeback to the PGA Tour at the end of 2025, the 36-year-old must now fight his way through the ranks – and that at events that are not exactly part of golf's who's who.
The story is well-known: at the end of 2025, Koepka returned to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf. A deal that cost him five million dollars for charity and denied him automatic entry into Signature Events as well as FedEx Cup bonus money. In other words: he has to earn his way back into the spotlight 'bottom-up'. While the top stars are competing at the Truist Championship in Quail Hollow this week, Koepka is playing the Myrtle Beach Classic – a non-Signature Event. Just last week, he was shut out as the first alternate at the RBC Heritage and the Cadillac Championship. For some, it's a scandal; for others, the logical consequence.
Koepka Under Fire: A Major Champion on the Sidelines?
This situation has tempers flaring. Golf analyst Mark Lye called Koepka's appearance in Myrtle Beach "an insult of the highest magnitude" and labeled the PGA Tour a "ruthless POS organization." Strong words, even if Koepka himself accepted the terms of his comeback. A bizarre argument?
Nevertheless: Koepka Fights His Way Back
But Brooks isn't letting that get him down. At the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, he showed that his game is still incredibly strong. In Round 1, he drained a 23-foot (7.01-meter) birdie putt on the 18th and reached the par-5 13th in just two shots – a fantastic start to his round.
