DP World Tour opens door for LIV players’ comeback, family joy in Oban, Fox’s error-filled graphic, and Fleetwood’s new look. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has completed his first week back on the PGA Tour with dignity. Finishing tied 56th at Justin Rose’s victory at the Farmers Insurance Open was not a standout performance, 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 ended the weekend at Torrey Pines with rounds of 73 and 70. Mission accomplished. On Friday, after advancing to the weekend, the five-time major winner spoke about falling in love with the game again. That was what he missed during his time with LIV: the competition, the tough struggle, fighting for a three-meter putt even when 20 shots behind the lead. Every stroke counts, especially when hundreds of players share the same goal. “I’m glad to be out there grinding again,” said Koepka.
However, elsewhere, sharp criticism of Koepka’s comeback continues, as some feel it was too smooth and easy. Not just Wyndham Clark; in a Golf Digest Japan interview before the Farmers, Hideki Matsuyama spoke unusually openly. Given his normal polite restraint, one could say the 2021 Masters champion is furious.
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Matsuyama said he was truly shocked to hear about the LIV star’s return. In 2022 he turned down a nine-figure offer from the rival circuit, partly due to the implications for his PGA Tour future. “I thought: Wait, he can just come back like that? What happened to the idea that players who joined LIV can’t participate on the PGA Tour for a year? And now there’s a Returning Member Program?”
“I have nothing against Koepka. I even find it pretty impressive that Brooks had the courage to make this decision and terminate his LIV contract.”
Hideki Matsuyama
The Japanese player added that he was unaware of such a rule and wondered why the PGA Tour had not explained the situation to players beforehand. “We’re just supposed to play and have no say otherwise.” Matsuyama finished eleventh at La Jolla, well ahead of Koepka. Whether that soothed his frustration remains unknown.