Brooks Koepka left on outside looking in at RBC Heritage

Field Level Media|published: 04/16/2026, 3:48pm EDT

Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Brooks Koepka tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour continues to be a rocky ride after he was left out of the RBC Heritage field Thursday, despite waiting out the first-round tee times in hopes somebody would withdraw.

Per terms of his return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf, Koepka has to play his way into signature events but can accept a sponsor's exemption into lower-tier events. His status was boosted by his tie for 12th place at last week's Masters.

Koepka, a five-time major winner, moved into the first alternate spot when Justin Rose withdrew Wednesday from this week's tournament at Hilton Head, S.C.

Because the terms of his return also included a stipulation that he does not take a spot from tour members in good standing, both Keith Mitchell and Taylor Moore would have also made it into the field if Koepka did.

Those options were ruled out once every group teed off as scheduled.

Koepka has played in seven events this season after he was reinstated in January. He has missed the cut twice with a best finish of tied for ninth at the Cognizant Classic.

--Field Level Media