The biggest storyline of 2026 gets real this week. Brooks Koepka makes his first full PGA Tour appearance at Torrey Pines. Xander Schauffele, who’ll tee it up with the returning star at the Farmers Insurance Open, weighed in on what Koepka’s presence actually means. His words carry weight as the two aren’t really friends but just colleagues who get along.

“I think it helps our Tour,” he stated plainly. “It’s not going to make the Tour weaker having a five-time major just want to come back and play. I think he wanted to be back, and I think the Tour found a way to pave a path for himself and a few others.”

When asked about the broader implications, he said, “It really just depends on who you’re asking and sort of how you’re looking at it, but from my shoes, I feel fortunate to be kind of where I’m at, and it helps, it helps bolster the Tour.”

Their competitive history carries credibility to Schauffele’s view.

In the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, Koepka finished runner-up while Schauffele tied for third, separated by three strokes.

At the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Koepka captured his second consecutive U.S. Open title while Schauffele finished inside the top 10. And in 2022, at the WM Phoenix Open, both battled for a spot near the top. Schauffele finished tied for second at 10-under, matching Koepka’s position through 36 holes. They were grouped in the penultimate pairing for Sunday’s final round. And

These head-to-head battles when championships were at stake make Xander Schauffele’s assessment particularly informed.

This week is indeed special for both golfers. The Farmers Open will be Schauffele’s 2026 debut, his first PGA Tour start since winning the Baycurrent Classic in Japan last October. The two-time major champion brings the longest active cut streak on Tour 72 consecutive tournaments dating to the 2022 Masters.

Meanwhile, for Brooks Koepka, it’s one of his first PGA Tour events after his return.

Interestingly, the 32-year-old isn’t the only one who agrees that Koepka’s return is good for the Tour. Other Tour Pros share similar views.

Wyndham Clark, who teamed with Brooks Koepka at the 2023 Ryder Cup, said it’s “great for the Tour” and suggested Koepka might be “the first one of maybe many” to return. He was referring to other LIV golfers who can come back under the Return Program.

Notably, Billy Horschel acknowledged that the return adds business value. When Koepka arrived at Torrey Pines on Monday, Horschel greeted him with a hug on the driving range.

The Tour expanded the Farmers Insurance Open field to 147 players to accommodate Koepka’s return without displacing anyone.

However, his reinstatement came with substantial penalties: a $5 million charitable donation, a five-year forfeiture of equity, no eligibility for the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and no signature event sponsor exemptions. Tour CEO Brian Rolapp estimated the total financial impact between $50 million and $85 million, depending on performance and Tour growth.

Not only the pros, but even the broadcaster understands the importance of Koepka’s return. ESPN is broadcasting the first two rounds live on its main channel from noon to 3 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday—the first time in nearly 20 years that a non-major PGA Tour event has received this treatment.

The tournament runs January 29-February 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course, featuring both the South Course and North Course with a $9.6 million purse. Schauffele’s “from my shoes” perspective remains clear: elite competition strengthens the Tour, and a five-time major champion’s presence elevates that.

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Brooks Koepka’s measurable opportunity in San Diego

Brooks Koepka is not in the top 250 in the world when he enters the Farmers Insurance Open. This is a big change from when he was at his best. A single top-10 finish here, which is worth about 57.5–61.5 Official World Golf Ranking points, could put him back in the top 50 and open up opportunities for signature events.

Farmers is one of the tour’s most important non-signature events, so Koepka has a rare chance to earn important OWGR points after being away for so long. His current divisor is based on only a few starts before LIV, so every good finish in San Diego will have a big effect on his average.

Koepka has had trouble at Torrey Pines in the past, missing three cuts in four Farmers appearances and never finishing under par in 72 holes. However, his experience shows he can compete on these greens, as shown by his top-5 U.S. Open finish at the South Course in 2021.

Koepka’s return isn’t just a story; it’s a clear change in his career. A good week here could change his status from “survival season” to “contender,” which would affect his chances of qualifying for future majors and signature PGA Tour events. This would be a big step in his competitive comeback.