{"id":4412,"date":"2026-05-26T16:04:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T16:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/26\/why-brooks-koepkas-wd-from-charles-schwab-challenge-is-bad-news-for-two-other-golfers\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T16:04:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T16:04:19","slug":"why-brooks-koepkas-wd-from-charles-schwab-challenge-is-bad-news-for-two-other-golfers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/26\/why-brooks-koepkas-wd-from-charles-schwab-challenge-is-bad-news-for-two-other-golfers\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Brooks Koepka’s WD From Charles Schwab Challenge Is Bad News for Two Other Golfers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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After a T14 at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Brooks Koepka withdrew from this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial. <\/p>\n

Read more Nats take page out of Dodgers handbook in Guardians rout<\/a><\/p>\n

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There’s more to the story than that, though. <\/p>\n

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Firstly, it would have been Koepka’s fourth consecutive start. Yet, the 36-year-old was vying for a spot in next week’s Memorial tournament, a signature event hosted by Jack Nicklaus with a $20 million purse. <\/p>\n

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As part of the stipulations Koepka accepted when he left LIV Golf<\/u> and returned to the PGA Tour under the Returning Member Program, the five-time major champion was not eligible for signature events unless he qualifies. <\/p>\n

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Currently, Koepka is roughly 20 points back of the fifth spot in the Aon Swing 5<\/u>, in which the top five point earners between signature tournaments earn a pathway into the top-tier events. <\/p>\n

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Koepka, however, is committed to the Canadian Open in two weeks, leading into the U.S. Open. So if he played Colonial and then qualified for the Memorial, that would be seven straight starts. <\/p>\n

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Secondly, Koepka’s withdrawal doesn’t just affect him. Two other golfers miss out on a start, too. <\/p>\n

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As part of the Returning Member Program, Koepka can’t take a spot away from any other members in the field. Therefore, whenever he tees it up, two more players earn tee times to round out the threesomes. <\/p>\n

Read more Boomer Esiason Blasts New York Giants Star Abdul Carter<\/a><\/p>\n

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So if Koepka remained committed to Colonial, the 132-player field would increase to 135. But instead, Zac Blair and Patrick Fishburn are now the first two alternates instead of being automatically in the field. <\/p>\n

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And had Koepka played his way into the Memorial, two additional players would have gotten into that field as well. <\/p>\n

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Koepka has made 11 starts this year, with six top 25s and one top 10. <\/p>\n

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He wasn’t the only WD for Colonial, either. Byron Nelson winner Wyndham Clark<\/u> also pulled out of the field after his first victory in over two years. Still, the field at Colonial will feature seven of the top 20 players in the world. <\/p>\n

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More golf on Sports Illustrated<\/em><\/h3>\n

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