LET hosts Access Series in Germany, Jason Day clarifies, US amateur skips Masters, ball rollback delayed. The Back Nine.
Last Friday it became official: Brooks Koepka is on the final entry list for the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open, between Jake Knapp and Matt Kuchar. Although ranked only 246th in the world rankings, he is eligible due to his third PGA Championship win three years ago and the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, which graciously welcomed the five-time major winner back, even producing promotional content featuring him. Fans’ interest in the 35-year-old’s first PGA Tour start since the 2022 Valspar Championship is understandably high.
Koepka’s comeback within the establishment is now official as he travels to Torrey Pines today, feeling notably nervous yet eager for the week of truth and the reception. \”I know I have a lot of work to do in rebuilding relationships with my peers. I know I upset quite a few people by switching to LIV back then,\” Koepka recently acknowledged in a phone interview. \”There definitely are players who are happy, and definitely players who will be angry.\”
\”There’s probably a mix of ‘We’re glad you’re back, welcome home’ and ‘You shouldn’t be here.’ I understand everyone’s perspectives. Maybe I should have taken a year off, and I’m very grateful the Tour gave me this opportunity.\”
Brooks Koepka
Players like Wyndham Clark, also in the field, have commented on Koepka’s return. \”If someone is upset, I need to rebuild those relationships,\” said the comeback player, planning private conversations away from media ears and microphones. \”There is much more at Torrey Pines than just playing golf. I’m excited and will be glad when this first week is behind me — including dealing with players, media, and some difficult conversations. But I really look forward to having those talks.\”
\”Brooks just needs 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 on Monday or walk the driving range to shake everyone’s hand and say ‘sorry.’ He’s coming back to play really good golf. That’s good for everyone.\”
Jordan Spieth
Fortunately, no one can resent Koepka for potentially taking another player’s spot because the PGA Tour expanded fields accordingly. For example, the Farmers field is now 145 players with Koepka, so the first two alternates were also added, resulting in 147 players to accommodate an extra threesome group. These are Matt Kuchar and Justin Lower, who might actually owe Koepka a thank you.
Second Women’s Tournament in Germany
Doubling up: Germany is set to host a second women’s professional golf tournament. Besides 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 LET Access Series. The venue is yet to be decided, but this marks the