DP World Tour clears path back for LIV players, family joy in Oban, Fox graphic errors, and Fleetwood’s new outfits. 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 in the Farmers Insurance Open wasn’t remarkable, but in this case, the journey was the goal. Koepka started with a 73 (+1), followed by a 68 in round two to make the cut, and played weekend rounds of 73 and 70 at Torrey Pines. Mission accomplished. Shortly after advancing to the weekend, the five-time major winner talked about falling in love with the game again. That was what he missed at LIV: competition. The tough battle. Fighting for every three-meter putt even when 20 shots behind the leader. Every stroke counts, especially when more than a hundred players share the same goal.
Elsewhere, critics remain harsh about Koepka’s comeback, which some consider too easy or smooth – not just Wyndham Clark. In an interview with Golf Digest Japan before the Farmers, Hideki Matsuyama spoke unusually candidly. Given his usual polite demeanor, one could say the 2021 Masters champion is furious.
„I have no problem with Koepka. I actually find it quite impressive that Brooks had the courage to make this decision and terminate his LIV contract.”
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama revealed he was shocked to hear about the LIV star’s return. He had declined a nine-figure offer from the rival circuit in 2022 partly due to concerns about his PGA Tour future. „I thought: How can he just come back like that? What happened to the idea that players must not participate on the PGA Tour for a year if they joined LIV? And now there’s a Returning Member Program?”
DP World Tour to Drop Penalties for LIV Players?
The DP World Tour is reforming sanctions on rogue members. Starting in 2026, no penalties will apply if players compete on unsanctioned tours such as the LIV Golf League, according to Flushing It. Pros like Patrick Reed and Jon Rahm, who have appealed their fines, still owe penalties accrued through 2025 – Rahm’s exceeds $3 million. But this change opens the door for more LIV players to participate in European circuit events if they keep DP World Tour membership. Mandatory tournaments will apply. However, if Rahm or Tyrrell Hatton lose their appeals and refuse to pay, they would lose their membership and Ryder Cup eligibility.
Robert MacIntyre Welcomes Newborn Son
Happy news from Oban on Scotland’s west coast