DP World Tour paves way 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 the Farmer Insurance Open won by Justin Rose. While not a spectacular performance, the journey was the main goal. Koepka began with a one-over-par 73, followed by a 68 in the second round to make the cut, and closed the weekend at Torrey Pines with rounds of 73 and 70. Mission accomplished. After advancing to the weekend, the five-time major winner expressed how he had fallen in love with the game again — something he missed during his time on LIV Golf: the competition and the intense struggle. He emphasized the importance of every shot, even when 20 strokes behind the leader, because so many players share the same goal.
However, Koepka’s comeback continues to be a source of criticism from some, who see it as too smooth or easy. Not just Wyndham Clark, but also Hideki Matsuyama spoke unusually candidly before the Farmers Tournament in an interview with Golf Digest Japan. Known for his normally reserved attitude, the 2021 Masters Champion appeared decidedly upset.
\”I have nothing against Koepka. In fact, I find it quite impressive that Brooks had the courage to make this decision and cancel his LIV contract.\”
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama admitted he was shocked when he heard about Koepka’s return, especially since he himself declined a nine-figure offer from the rival circuit in 2022, partly due to potential repercussions for his PGA Tour future. \”I thought: Wait, he can just come back like that? What happened to the idea that players who join LIV Golf cannot participate in the PGA Tour for a year? And now there’s a Returning Member Program?\”
Matsuyama added he was unaware of such a rule and questioned why the PGA Tour did not explain the situation to players in advance, stating: \”We are just supposed to play and have no say otherwise.\” Matsuyama ended up finishing 11th in La Jolla, well ahead of Koepka. Whether that soothed him remains uncertain.
DP World Tour Considering Lifting Penalties on LIV Players
The DP World Tour is changing its sanctions against members who participate in unsanctioned tours like LIV Golf starting from the 2026 season. According to reports from Flushing It, no penalties will be imposed on players active on non-sanctioned tours after this date. Professionals like Patrick Reed, Jon Rahm, and Tyrrell Hatton, who have appealed their fines accumulated until 2025 — Rahm’s exceeding three million dollars — will still be required to pay those. But this policy shift opens the door for more LIV players to compete in DP World Tour events, provided they maintain their membership. Mandatory tournaments will still exist. For Rahm and Hatton, the issue remains sensitive: if they lose their appeals and refuse to pay, they risk losing their