DP World Tour paves the way for LIV players’ return, family joy in Oban, spotting errors in Fox’s LIV graphic, and Fleetwood’s new look. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has completed his first week back on the PGA Tour with respectable composure. Although his T56 finish at Justin Rose’s victory at the Farmers Insurance Open wasn’t a standout performance, the journey itself was the goal. Koepka opened with a 73 (+1), made the cut with a 68 in round two, and closed the weekend at Torrey Pines with rounds of 73 and 70. Mission accomplished. After reaching the weekend, the five-time major winner spoke about falling back in love with the game, something he felt was missing during his time with LIV: the fierce competition, the grind, and fighting for every putt, even when far behind the leaders. Every shot counts when more than a hundred players share the same goal.
However, Koepka’s comeback continues to raise eyebrows for some, who see it as too easy or smooth, including Wyndham Clark. In an unusually vocal interview with Golf Digest Japan, Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion known for his polite restraint, expressed anger. Matsuyama was shocked to learn about Koepka’s return. Having declined a nine-figure offer from LIV in 2022 due to concerns about PGA Tour consequences, Matsuyama questioned the integrity of the rules. \”I thought: How can he just come back like that? What happened to the idea that players who join LIV must stay away from the PGA Tour for a year? Now there’s a Returning Member Program?\”
\”I have nothing against Koepka. I even find it quite impressive that Brooks had the courage to make this decision and end his LIV contract.\”
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama said he was unaware of such a rule and wondered why the PGA Tour did not explain the situation to players beforehand. \”We are just supposed to play and have no say.\” Matsuyama finished 11th at La Jolla, well ahead of Koepka. Whether this eased his frustration is unclear.
DP World Tour: Removing Penalties for LIV Players?
The DP World Tour has changed its sanctions against defectors. Starting in 2026, players will no longer be penalized for participating in unsanctioned tours like LIV Golf, according to Flushing It. However, players like Patrick Reed, Jon Rahm, and Tyrrell Hatton, who have appealed their fines accumulated through 2025 (Rahm’s total exceeds $3 million), must still pay those penalties. This new policy opens the door for more LIV players to compete in European Tour events, provided they remain DP World Tour members. Compulsory tournaments will still exist. Should Rahm or Hatton lose their appeals and refuse to pay, they risk losing DP World Tour membership and Ryder Cup eligibility.
\”Bob Mac\” Welcomes New Arrival
Celebrations abound in Oban, Scotland: Robert MacIntyre, nick