Brooks Koepka Headlines Growing 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open Field

Brooks Koepka is returning to a golf course he helped build. The four-time major champion and former world No. 1 has committed to the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course, scheduled for March 26-29, marking his first appearance at the tournament since 2021 and his first full season back on the PGA TOUR after four years on LIV.

Koepka's connection to Memorial Park runs deeper than most players in the field. Alongside Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane and architect Tom Doak, Koepka served as a PGA TOUR consultant during the course's renovation, which transformed the public facility into the country's second PGA-certified, municipally owned golf course. His return to the tournament adds a rare layer of personal investment to what is already a marquee stop on the schedule.

His recent form tells a more complicated story. After returning to the PGA TOUR earlier this year, Koepka finished tied for 56th at the Farmers Insurance Open and missed the cut at the WM Phoenix Open. He has fallen to 257th in the Official World Golf Ranking and is currently ineligible for the tour's signature events and The Players Championship. Still, Koepka is exempt into all four majors through at least 2028, and the Houston Open falls the week before The Masters begins April 9 at Augusta National.

Defending champion Min Woo Lee is also returning to Memorial Park, where the Australian won his first PGA TOUR title at the 2025 Houston Open. Lee has been sharp early in 2026, making the cut in all three tournaments he has entered and finishing tied for second at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Rickie Fowler rounds out the marquee trio. The Oklahoma State product and fan favorite carries six PGA TOUR victories into the week, with his most recent title coming at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. In 2026, Fowler has posted three top-25 finishes: tied for 18th at both The American Express and the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and tied for 19th at Pebble Beach.

The rest of the confirmed field includes seventh-ranked Chris Gotterup, 26th-ranked Si Woo Kim, Gary Woodland, Sungjae Im and Will Zalatoris. Im, a South Korean native with two PGA TOUR wins and three top-10 finishes in 2025, is making his fourth appearance at this tournament, having also competed in 2020, 2021 and 2025. Zalatoris is working his way back from back surgery that shortened his 2025 season. In his first event post-surgery, he finished tied for 18th at The American Express.

Tournament organizers note the field is still forming. Players have until March 20 to enter, and additional commitments are expected to be announced before that deadline.

The tournament is operated by the Astros Golf Foundation, founded in 2018 by Jim Crane, and serves as the foundation's single largest fundraiser. Proceeds benefit the City of Houston, the Memorial Park Conservancy, the First Tee of Greater Houston and other charitable partners. In 2025, more than 2,023 volunteers contributed over 45,400 hours to the event. The Memorial Park Conservancy expects roughly 15,000 visitors per day during tournament play.

General admission tickets cover all 18 holes, including public viewing areas and bleacher seating. Children 15 and under are admitted free. Gates open at 8 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, with the trophy ceremony held on the 18th green after the final putt.