NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Thursday marked a historic day for the PGA Tour as Brooks Koepka’s return became official.
After spending more than four years with LIV Golf, the five-time major winner announced earlier this month that he was returning to the Tour, starting at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Thursday.
Koepka cited more family time as the main contributor to his decision to get out of his contract with the Saudi-backed league early. Ironically, that was a major reason people defected to LIV, but Koepka’s attorney and advisor, Bryan Freedman, provided some context in a recent interview with Pakinomist Digital.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Brooks Koepka reacts after chipping in for birdie on the 17th hole during the second round of the 125th US Open on June 13, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
“Brooks felt over the years that the travel was so intense and so international that it kept him away from his family, and I think as time went on he longed to spend more time with his family and be closer to the United States,” Freedman said. LIV has traveled to Australia, Singapore and other places around the world.
Koepka had long been rumored to have buyer’s remorse, and there were times last year when he was pretty mum about his future at LIV.
“I don’t know that Brooks really made a decision that he wanted out before he made that decision, did he? It had very little to do with golf and a lot to do with family,” Freedman said. “Maybe all athletes are like this, right? Good life, happy home. You can excel as an athlete at your best. That’s the key, is making sure he’s happy and he’s comfortable.”
Despite the divorce between Koepka and LIV, Freedman said that “everyone was respectful in the process and everyone was attentive to each party’s needs.”
Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the US Open on June 15, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
MASTERS CHAMPION FOLLOWS BROOKS KOEPKA’S FOOTSTEPS IN DITCHING LIFE FOR PGA RETURN: ‘TRADITIONALIST AT HEART’
“Brooks and I worked with other people on the team and LIV people to try to reach a structure that would work for everyone,” Freedman said. “And to have Brooks get his desired outcome, I think Brooks has nothing but respect for LIFE, it was a respectful process and I think everyone saw the benefit of Brooks being able to be happy and do what he wanted to do, which was to be closer to home, closer to his child, closer to his wife. He’s been through some personal things and really wanted to address them from a human standpoint.”
Freedman also praised the PGA Tour for welcoming Koepka back with half-open arms.
“I think the reaction has been really positive. It’s great. The PGA has been wonderful, they welcomed him back. There are certainly restrictions that he has and he will abide by them. But I think they’ve been incredible to welcome him back,” Freedman said. “I think he’s really excited. I think he’s excited to make amends with the players and do his best to just kind of be a golfer among golfers, like a worker among workers, and really go in there and be humble and go in with that humility and grace that Brooks walks around with.”
Koepka certainly seems happy to be back on the PGA Tour, but Freedman doesn’t believe he had any regrets about playing at LIV.
Brooks Koepka poses after winning the 2019 PGA Championship on the Bethpage Black course on May 19, 2019 in Farmingdale, New York. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I don’t think he regretted going to LIV at all. I think if anything, everybody wants everybody to be better off, right?” Freedman said. “That there was some ability where people really had to play nicely in the sandbox together, and that this was a situation that didn’t cause too many problems for people. I think if there’s any regret, that’s probably it.”
