Brooks Koepka turned to Tiger Woods for advice after committing to the PGA Tour's Returning Member Program. The 35-year-old was one of a number of defectors who joined LIV Golf in 2022, spending three years with the controversial breakaway league and winning five events under the banner and holding captaincy of the Smash GC team.

However, in December, the Florida-born golfer made the decision to part ways with LIV, citing how he wished to spend more time with his family. A statement shared by LIV at the time read: "Brooks Koepka will be stepping away from LIV Golf He is deeply grateful to Yasir Al-Rumayyan (the governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, (LIV CEO) Scott O'Neil, and the LIV Golf leadership team, his team-mates and the fans.

"Family has always guided Brooks' decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home. Brooks will continue to be a huge supporter of LIV Golf and wishes the league and its players continued success. Brooks remains passionate about the game of golf and will keep fans updated on what's ahead."

However, the news emerged in January that Koepka had been reinstated on the PGA Tour under the Returning Member Program, and that his first event back on the world's leading tour would come in the form of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the turn of February.

And now, Koepka has confirmed that he turned to golfing legend Woods as he made the decision to return to the banner he made a name for himself with.

He explained on Tuesday: "I called him. I've always had a good relationship with Tiger and I felt like that was what I wanted to do. Once I had the opportunity to, I guess, get reinstated on the PGA Tour, it was exciting and I kind of didn't really know what to do.

"Tiger was the first person that came to mind. I didn't know Brian [Rolapp], I didn't have a relationship with him obviously just because he's pretty new. Jay was going to be the next call. But I felt like Tiger was somebody that I have relied on in the past for questions and answers, and how to deal with things. I felt like that would be the most comfortable call for me."

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Meanwhile, speaking on the return of Koepka, Woods said: "There are opinions from both sides. We're not going to satisfy everyone. We know that. But the whole idea is to make our tour better than it was.

"With Brooks' addition to the Tour, it does. It makes it a better place to play. Now, with players who have earned equity, and there are four more years of potential earning of equity for these players, the fact that they own the Tour, if Brooks plays, it puts more money in their pocket. It's a win for everyone."

Keopeka's return to the tour isn't without its limitations, however, with the five-time major champion jumping through a number of hoops on his way back to the PGA's greens and fairways. He has agreed to make a £3.7million charitable donation at the Tour's request and will not be eligible to receive PGA Tour equity grants for five years.

Koepka will also be ineligible for FedEx Cup bonus money in 2026, and cannot participate in any signature event unless he qualifies for them prior. The Farmers Insurance Open takes place at Torrey Pines South Corse between January 29 and February 1, 2026.

After that event, Koepka will also take part in the Phoenix Open between February 5 and February 8 at the Stadium Course, as he looks to revamp a brightly burning career on the PGA Tour.