DP World Tour opens path back for LIV players, family joy in Oban, Fox’s flawed graphic and Fleetwood’s new look. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has successfully completed his first week back on the PGA Tour, finishing T56 at Justin Rose’s victory in the Farmers Insurance Open. While not a spectacular performance, the main goal was simply to return. Starting with a one-over-par 73, Koepka made the cut with a 68 in the second round and closed with rounds of 73 and 70 at Torrey Pines. Mission accomplished. Shortly after securing his weekend spot, the five-time major winner expressed that he had fallen in love with the game again, something he missed during his time with LIV Golf. It was the competition, the tough battle—fighting over every putt even when far behind—that reignited his passion. \”I’m glad to be out there grinding again,\” Koepka said.
However, Koepka’s comeback has sparked controversy, with some viewing it as too easy and smooth. Notably, Wyndham Clark and Hideki Matsuyama have voiced strong opinions. In an interview with Golf Digest Japan before the Farmers Open, the usually polite and reserved 2021 Masters Champion expressed frustration. Matsuyama was shocked to learn of Koepka’s return, having declined a nine-figure offer from the rival circuit in 2022 partly due to potential consequences for his PGA Tour future. \”I thought, how can he just come back like that? What happened to the idea that players who joined LIV must sit out a year from the PGA Tour? And now there’s a Returning Member Program?\” he questioned.
\”I have nothing against Koepka. In fact, I admire his courage to cancel his LIV contract and make this decision.\”
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama further stated he was unaware of such a rule and wondered why the PGA Tour didn’t clarify the situation in advance, saying, \”We are just supposed to play and have no say otherwise.\” Matsuyama ultimately finished eleventh at La Jolla Cliffs, well ahead of Koepka. Whether this softened his stance remains uncertain.
DP World Tour: Eliminating Penalties for LIV Players?
The DP World Tour is changing its sanctions on members who played in unsanctioned tours like the LIV Golf League. Starting in the 2026 season, no penalties will be imposed for such participation, according to Flushing It. However, professionals like Patrick Reed, Jon Rahm, and Tyrrell Hatton – who have appealed their fines – must still pay accumulated fees through 2025. For Rahm, this exceeds three million dollars. This reform opens the door for more LIV players to compete in European circuit events if they maintain DP