DP World Tour clears the way for LIV players’ return, family joy for Oban’s MacIntyre, 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 dignity. Finishing T56 at Justin Rose’s victory at the Farmers Insurance Open wasn’t a standout performance, but in this case, the journey was the goal. Koepka opened with a one-over-par 73, followed by a 68 in round two to make the cut, and closed the weekend at Torrey Pines with 73 and 70 strokes. Mission accomplished. By Friday, after making the weekend cut, the five-time major winner spoke about falling in love with the game again – something he felt was missing during his LIV Golf tenure: competition. The tough struggle. Battling for a three-meter putt, even twenty strokes behind the leader. But every stroke counts, especially when a hundred or more players have the same goal. \”I’m glad to be out there grinding again,\” Koepka said.
Elsewhere, criticism remains over Koepka’s comeback, which some see as too easy or smooth. Notably, Wyndham Clark and Hideki Matsuyama have expressed discontent. In an unusual candid interview with Golf Digest Japan ahead of the Farmers, the 2021 Masters champion was visibly upset. Matsuyama, who declined a nine-figure offer from the rival circuit in 2022 partly due to the consequences for his PGA Tour future, said he was shocked by Koepka’s return. \”I thought: How is it possible he can just come back like that? What happened to the idea that players who joined LIV can’t compete on the PGA Tour for a year? And 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 cancel his LIV contract.\”
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama added that he was unaware of such a rule. \”I wonder why the PGA Tour didn’t explain this to us earlier? But supposedly, we’re just supposed to play and have no say.\” Matsuyama finished 11th at La Jolla, well ahead of Koepka. Whether that soothed his anger remains to be seen.
DP World Tour Ends Penalties for LIV Players?
The DP World Tour has reversed its stance on sanctions against renegade members. Starting in the 2026 season, penalties will no longer be imposed if players compete on non-sanctioned tours like the LIV Golf League. According to Flushing It, professionals like returning Patrick Reed,