LET debuts with Access Series in Germany, Jason Day clarifies, US amateur skips Masters, rollback delayed. The Back Nine.
Last Friday it became official: Brooks Koepka is on the final entry list for the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open, positioned between Jake Knapp and Matt Kuchar. Currently ranked 246th in the world rankings, he is eligible to compete thanks to his third PGA Championship win three years ago and the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program that has welcomed the five-time major winner back and even featured him in advertisements. Fans’ interest in the 35-year-old’s first PGA Tour appearance since the 2022 Valspar Championship is expected to be substantial.
Koepka’s comeback is now official, and the Florida native travels today to Torrey Pines, feeling notably nervous and curious about the reception he will receive. \”I know I have a lot of work to do to repair relationships with my colleagues. I realize my switch to LIV Golf upset many,\” Koepka admitted in a recent phone interview. \”Some players will be happy, others will be angry.\”
\”There is probably a mix of ‘Happy to have you back, welcome home’ and ‘You shouldn’t be here.’ I understand all viewpoints. I might have needed to pause for a year, and I am very grateful the Tour has given me this opportunity.\”
Brooks Koepka
Fellow competitor Wyndham Clark is also in the field. \”If anyone is upset, I have to rebuild those relationships,\” Koepka said. He plans to seek private conversations away from media ears and microphones. \”Torrey Pines is about much more than just playing golf. I’m excited and will be relieved when this first week is over — including dealing with players, media, and some tougher discussions. But I look forward to those talks and want to have them.\”
\”Brooks just has to be who he was when he left. No one should expect him to change to please others. I don’t think Brooks has to play pro-ams Monday or walk the range apologizing. He’s coming back to play really good golf, and that’s good for everyone.\”
Jordan Spieth
No one can fault Koepka for possibly ‘stealing’ a tournament spot from others as the PGA Tour has expanded the fields. For example, at the Farmers Open, there will now be 145 players including Koepka, so the first two alternates, Matt Kuchar and Justin Lower, were also added, resulting in 147 players and an additional threesome group.
Second Women’s Tournament in Germany
Doubling up: Germany will host a second women’s professional golf tournament. In addition to the Amundi German Masters in mid-May at Green Eagle Golf Courses near Hamburg, the German Ladies Challenge powered by VcG will take place from June 19 to 21 as part of the Ladies European Tour’s Access Series. While the venue is yet to be decided, this marks the return of the second-tier European ladies league to Germany for the first time since 2019’s Rügenwalder