Brooks Koepka Opened Strong at PGA Championship Following Personal Struggles
Brooks Koepka opened strong at the PGA Championship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The pro golfer returned to the PGA Tour this season after officially leaving LIV golf in December 2025.
As Koepka competes for his sixth major win, the 36-year-old opened up about the challenging year he's had, sharing a rare family update. Koepka said that things going on in his personal life affected his golf game.
"We had a lot of family issues go on last year. It was noted, and that took a toll on me. It definitely took a toll on Jena," he said after Thursday's opening round, according to the New York Post. "That was kind of tough to deal with. Yeah, I mean, at home it's in a much better place. It's easier to come out to work when everything at home lines up. Everything's a lot better. Last year was just difficult personally with what was going on off the golf course, nothing to do on it. It was just off."
"So, yeah, just being in a better place. It's exciting," he continued, adding, "It's a little bit of a fresh start as well. I think that's a big piece of it. Yeah, when all that kind of lines up, it makes it enjoyable to be out here."
In October 2025, Sims, 37, shared the devastating news that she'd suffered a miscarriage.
"At 16 weeks, we learned that our baby's heart had stopped beating. This is a grief no parent is ever prepared for. We are devastated, but remain hopeful to give Crew a sibling one day," she wrote.
Koepka and Sims, who tied the knot in 2022, have one son, Crew, 2.
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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 10:50 AM.