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Expect More LIV Golfers To Return To PGA Tour

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Expect More LIV Golfers To Return To PGA Tour

 

It appears the PGA Tour will be gradually returning to what it used to be. 

The return of Brooks Koepka (Srixon Z-Star Diamond) to the PGA Tour in the Farmers Insurance Open after four years on the LIV Golf circuit is the first of what could be several players following suit. 

Koepka had a year remaining on his deal, and as I said in last week’s blog, he will essentially have to pay a financial penalty, though in the long run it will be worth it for him competitively and also to be close to his family. 

Since last week’s blog, Patrick Reed (Titleist Pro V1x), who is essentially a free agent since his LIV deal expired, will be back with the PGA Tour in the fall following a one-year suspension from the time of his last LIV start in August 2025. He will continue to play on the DP World Tour in the interim as an Honorary Lifetime Member. 

Like him or not, Reed is an impact player. He has always had somewhat of a prickly relationship with fellow PGA Tour players and fans, whereas Koepka was considered more likeable by both competitors and fans. Any concerns Koepka had about players and fans were quickly erased. It became a non-issue and shouts of “Brooksie” were heard loudly and clearly by spectators throughout the Farmers. CBS followed him closely. But Koepka was not sharp and finished T56 at four-under par. Tab him for later. 

There are rumbles that more LIV players will follow Koepka and Reed, though it is still unknown who officially they are. But the biggest name worth watching is Bryson DeChambeau (Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash). If he returns sometime next year, it will be huge. 

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME: What can you say about Justin Rose (Titleist Pro V1 Left Dash)? The 45-year-old classy Englishman just defies time. What he did in the Farmers Insurance Open was a thing of brilliance. He lead from start to finish with a course record 23-under par at Torrey Pines, continuing the torrid pace he set after a record score after 36 holes. 

If you’ve watched Netflix’s Full Swing, which is set to return for another season beginning in April, he takes great care of his body. But what was on show last weekend was really his mind. He was so focused. He didn’t fade, which can sometimes happen when a player is so far ahead of the pack. 

NELLY IS BACK: After failing to win a tournament last year after registering seven the year before, Nelly Korda (TaylorMade TP5x) opened the 2026 LPGA season with a victory in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando. Even though the tournament was shortened by one day due to unseasonable weather, Korda was still full value for the win. 

PRAISE FOR THE LPGA TOUR: Hall of Fame baseball player/Cy Young Award winner John Smoltz had some compliments for LPGA players while playing in the celebrity part of the Hilton tournament. 

“This is a blast because we get to see some of the greatest swings, some of the best mechanics,” said Smoltz in an interview with the Golf Channel. “Before this event started, I probably wasn’t connected enough with the LPGA as far as what they do and how they do it. It’s unbelievable. I look forward to this event because I look forward to seeing up close the timing, the swing, the precision and it really does help me.” 

THIS AND THAT: Great to see and hear Johnson Wagner as part of CBS’ 2026 golf coverage. The guy has a wicked moustache…Does it ever get old hearing Jim Nantz say, “hello friends.”…During coverage of the Farmers, CBS showed Chris Gotterup (Bridgestone VS Black) using a driver in the fairway and narrowly missing an albatross. CBS then cut away to Sahith Theegala (Titleist Pro V1), who just missed an albatross with his shot on another hole…Tough luck for Xander Schauffele (Callaway Chrome Tour Dot), who missed the cut at the Farmers Open by one shot. That ended his consecutive streak of 72 straight cuts. Worth noting, Rose missed the cut by one stroke in the American Express tournament preceding the Farmer’s…I never get tired seeing those Farmers commercials and actor J.K. Simmons, who was great in the movie Whiplash…The visuals of the sand, the surf and the dolphins by Torrey Pines is always beautiful. Kudos to CBS for capturing some amazing scenes. 
Perry Lefko
Perry Lefko
Perry Lefko is an award-winning writer who has published nine books, three of them bestsellers. He has been involved in sports writing for more than 35 years and has interviewed many superstar athletes. He lives in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and enjoys watching golf and playing it.

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