DP World Tour clears path back for LIV players, family joy in Oban, Fox’s graphic error, and Fleetwood’s new look. The Back Nine.
Survived: Brooks Koepka has completed his first week back on the PGA Tour. Finishing T56 at Justin Rose’s win at the Farmers Insurance Open wasn’t a spectacular achievement, but in this case, the journey was the goal. Koepka started with a one-over-par 73, made the cut with a 68 in round two, and closed the weekend at Torrey Pines with rounds of 73 and 70. Mission accomplished. Already on Friday after making the weekend cut, the five-time major winner said he had fallen in love with the game again. That was what he missed at LIV: the competition, the tough battles, fighting for a three-meter putt even 20 shots behind the leader. But every shot counts, especially when a hundred or more players have the same goal. \”I’m glad to be out there grinding again,\” said Koepka.
Elsewhere, knives are still drawn over Koepka’s comeback, which some find too easy, too smooth. Not only Wyndham Clark. In a talk with Golf Digest Japan before the Farmers, Hideki Matsuyama also spoke unusually openly. Given his normally polite and reserved demeanor, one might say: the 2021 Masters champion is furious.
\”I have nothing against Koepka. I even find it quite impressive that Brooks had the courage to make this decision and terminate his LIV contract.\”
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama said he was shocked when he heard about the LIV star’s return. He had turned down a nine-figure offer from the rival circuit in 2022, partly because of the consequences for his future on the PGA Tour. \”I thought: How can he just come back like that? What happened to the idea that players who joined LIV wouldn’t be able to play on the PGA Tour for a year? And now there is a Returning Member Program?\”
The Japanese further said he was not aware of such a rule and wondered why the PGA Tour had not explained the situation to players in advance. \”We’re just supposed to play and have no say otherwise.\” Incidentally, Matsuyama finished 11th at La Jolla cliffs, well ahead of Koepka. Does that soothe him?
DP World Tour: Removal of Penalties for LIV Players?
A turnaround: The DP World Tour is reforming sanctions for rogue members. Starting in the 2026 season, no penalties will be imposed if players compete in non-sanctioned tours like the LIV Golf League