Scottie Scheffler's history at WM Phoenix Open makes world's No. 1 golfer a favorite originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Scottie Scheffler has played one golf tournament to begin his 2026 PGA Tour season. Of course, he won.

The world's No. 1 golfer will now be back on the course this Thursday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He enters as the favorite, as he will all year long.

This week, it's a particularly logical position for Scheffler to take. He has historically played very well at this event.

Scottie Scheffler history at WM Phoenix Open

Scheffler has played this tournament each of the past six years.

His results by year:

• 2020: Cut
• 2021: Tied-7th
• 2022: Win
• 2023: Win
• 2024: Tied-3rd
• 2025: Tied-25th

The tournament is played at the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale.

It's a par-71 course, and it brings out the loudest, rowdiest crowds in golf. That's part of this week's charm.

Clearly, Scheffler has often embraced that very well.

With how well Scheffler is playing right now, and his history at this event, it's hard to believe he could lose.

Of course, golf is a weird game. Lots of things could happen as the tournament heads into the weekend.

But there's a decent chance this just ends up being another Scottie Scheffler show.

MORE: Jeremy Lin gets a big announcement on his NBA future

The door has cracked to major championship eligibility for LIV’s players — but only slightly.

On Tuesday, the Official World Golf Ranking (or OWGR) announced it had accepted LIV’s application for membership, allowing the league to receive world ranking points for the first time and opening a critical pathway to major championship eligibility. According to the OWGR’s release, LIV’s events will start receiving world ranking points effective immediately, beginning with this week’s season-opening event in Riyadh, but those points will be limited to top 10 finishers and ties.

“This has been an incredibly complex and challenging process and one which we have devoted a huge amount of time and energy to resolving in the seven months since LIV Golf submitted their application,” OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman said in a statement. “We fully recognized the need to rank the top men’s players in the world but at the same time had to find a way of doing so that was equitable to the thousands of other players competing on other tours that operate with established meritocratic pathways.”

World ranking points are golf’s primary methodology for determining eligibility into each of the sport’s four major championships, aiming to provide an objective ranking of the top players from tours across the world. LIV’s initial application for inclusion in the OWGR was rejected in October of 2023 on the basis that the league lacked a sufficient promotion/relegation pathway. The league has since expanded its promotion/relegation pathway and expanded its events to 72 holes in part to accommodate the OWGR’s requests.

Tuesday’s announcement ends a yearslong saga for LIV. The lack of major championship eligibility proved a roadblock for the upstarts in attracting new talent, though the major championships worked to create new pathways for high-performing LIV players to compete in golf’s biggest events, awarding exemptions to pros like Joaquin Niemann and Talor Gooch on account of their skill level.

What does the announcement mean for LIV and its PGA Tour counterparts? We dive into the five biggest questions below.

5 burning questions about LIV’s OWGR inclusion

1. How many points is LIV receiving from the OWGR?

Officially, LIV will receive limited points from the OWGR for each of its events, especially when compared to the PGA Tour. And how limited? Only the top 10 finishers in each LIV event will earn points from the OWGR, and the share of points given to each LIV winner will be roughly equal to the points given to a PGA Tour alternate-field event winner (or roughly one-third the share of points given to the winner of this week’s WM Phoenix Open).

“Ranking points will be allocated to the top-10 finishers (and ties) in LIV Golf’s individual stroke play events,” the OWGR’s statement reads. “Which recognizes there are a number of areas where LIV Golf does not meet the eligibility standards set out by OWGR.”

2. Why isn’t LIV receiving the same points share as the PGA Tour?

A handful of reasons, but primarily because the OWGR deemed that LIV fits into the “small-field tournaments” classification, which stipulates that only the top-10 finishers and ties earn world ranking points. Given LIV’s no-cut nature, its average field size of 57 (vs. the OWGR minimum of 75), and its improved (but still limited) promotion and relegation pathways, the OWGR felt that league had not done enough to earn the Tour’s “standard event” designation.

3. Is LIV happy about this announcement?

Not exactly.

For LIV, the OWGR decision represents a major barrier cleared, granting major championship access to its players. But the decision also amounts to a half-measure — providing points to only a handful of pros and providing winners with a significantly smaller share relative to the PGA Tour. That’s better than nothing, but it’s not enough to fully quell LIV’s feeling that its best players have been underrated relative to the OWGR — as the league’s statement implied.

“This outcome is unprecedented,” LIV’s statement read. “Under these rules, a player finishing 11th in a LIV Golf event is treated the same as a player finishing 57th [on the PGA Tour]. No other competitive tour or league in OWGR history has been subjected to such a restriction.”

4. Is the PGA Tour happy about this announcement?

It’s likely neither side is overly thrilled about the news.

For the PGA Tour, the OWGR decision represents the loss of a critical upper-hand on LIV — access to the majors — but preserves the Tour’s broader argument that it remains the easiest path to major championship success.

In response to the OWGR’s announcement, the Tour released a curt statement thanking OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman and acknowledging that the Tour “respects” the OWGR’s decision.

5. Was either side surprised by this announcement?

Not really. News on LIV’s OWGR status had been expected for several weeks, with LIV CEO Scott O’Neil hinting in several interviews at the end of 2025 that the league expected to receive world ranking status as soon as the new year.

6. Does the decision ‘solve’ anything?

Yes — but not for LIV or the PGA Tour. The primary beneficiaries of Tuesday’s announcement are the governing bodies behind each of the major championships.

LIV’s incompatibility with the OWGR always presented an unusual issue for golf. The four major championships each lean upon the OWGR for help in assembling the strongest possible field, but LIV’s exclusion meant that many players who would otherwise be major championship eligible no longer fit the qualification.

7. Is this the final word on LIV’s world ranking eligibility?

Far from it! The OWGR’s statement acknowledged that LIV has already engaged with the OWGR about future changes to the league aimed at improving its world ranking status, and suggested the OWGR will adjust its standards accordingly.

The post LIV to receive world ranking points: Answering 7 biggest questions appeared first on Golf.

Two weeks ago, LIV Golf made arguably its biggest offseason signing when it acquired reigning NCAA individual champion Michael La Sasso. The senior at Ole Miss made the decision to forego his final semester of college golf to turn pro and join Phil Mickelson's HyFlyers team for the 2026 season.

On Tuesday, ahead of LIV Golf's opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, La Sasso spoke for the first time about his decision.

"One of the things that went into my decision, when I was 10 years old starting to play golf, like, the goal for me was to play professional golf," La Sasso said. "Having people that have been very well-known in the golf space and are so experienced, and to be able to be a part of a team that's with Phil, somebody that's had so much experience, I feel like he'll be able to answer any question that I throw at him, to have the ability to be able to ask somebody that on a daily basis, that played a very big part in it for me because not every 21-year-old has the opportunity to be able to ask questions to those people. So that was a big factor for me.

"I think so far, I'm so grateful that I made the decision, and I am very happy to be here."

In an offseason where LIV Golf lost more in Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed than it acquired in any player addition, La Sasso's signing could pay off if he plays well. The league has made it a priority to attract young talent, whether it be top amateurs or those from the college ranks, and La Sasso's signing is the latest example.

Since his win at the NCAA Championship last May, La Sasso has somewhat struggled. He made only one of five cuts in PGA Tour events (T-44 at 3M Open) and missed the cut at the U.S. Open. He was also the only U.S. player to have a losing record at the Walker Cup (1-2). He made only two starts for Ole Miss in the fall in stroke-play events, finishing 18th and 23rd.

In joining LIV Golf, La Sasso also gave up a spot in the 2026 Masters. But he believes joining LIV can help take his game to the next level.

"I would say I'm a little bit raw at first," La Sasso said. "Everybody is a little bit young. I think that's why I have a pretty sick caddie that I've asked to come join me so far in my career. I think hopefully he'll be able to sharpen me up a little bit in some areas.

"If you can kind of tell by my personality, I'm a little bit fiery, so hopefully I bring some good laughs and stuff to the older guys, I'll say, on the team, and kind of bring in like a little bit of a new young flair."

La Sasso will become LIV's youngest player, beating out former Tennessee golfer Caleb Surratt, who is entering his third season with the league.

Surratt is one of the reasons La Sasso decided to make the jump, too. Two years ago, Surratt left Tennessee before the spring to join Jon Rahm's Legion XIII. Now La Sasso is following a similar path.

"Not many people know this, but he was committed to NC State at the same time I was," La Sasso said of Surratt "He's from North Carolina, I'm from North Carolina. Growing up, I played a lot of golf with him, and we were very close.

"I remember when he first came here, he stayed at my house because he was getting a swing lesson from -- we go to the same instructor. Everything that he had to say, it made me excited. From a very early start, hearing about LIV and every perk that it had and hearing him talk so highly about it, the fact that I actually had an opportunity to come out here and play, and I asked him a bunch of questions and kind of from the start, everything that he had to say and people that I talked to, everything was so, so good."

Ultimately, La Sasso said he is betting on himself this season. He believes this is the right decision for his career, which begins Wednesday under the lights in Saudi Arabia.

"This is the first time that I'm now playing golf as a professional, so to have that ability, to have it around people that are so supportive, and to be around people that show that they very much care about what I do and they're just trying to help, I think this year is going to have a lot of growth, and I think that's a good thing," La Sasso said.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Why NCAA champ Michael La Sasso left Ole Miss for LIV Golf

LIV Golf has made a number of changes this offseason, and will be a new-look tour in 2026.

Most of these changes have involved moving to a more traditional format to become eligible for Official World Golf Ranking points. They have changed from 52 to 72 holes, increased their field size, and increased the number of players who will be relegated from the tour this season.

But LIV isn’t done innovating. For the first time, their season opener in Saudi Arabia won’t be played under the desert sun, but under the spotlights at night.

It’s an interesting decision and one that will certainly draw the attention of the golfing world. But what do the players think about it? Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton gave their honest opinions about playing at night.

Tyrrell Hatton says some players have had issues with playing at night

The typically outspoken Hatton was asked what he thinks the key to playing at night is, and he revealed that some players have had the same problem.

He answered: “Hit and hope, like every other week. Well, we’ve got a couple of days to get adjusted to it. I think for the most part, everyone dealt with it pretty well last year.

“I know there was a few guys that had some issues with — they use black irons, so that created an issue for them.

“But I think for the majority of us, it wasn’t too much of a problem. Yeah, it’s just a case of getting used to the night golf, and we’ve got a couple of days to do that, and it’ll be good fun.”

When asked how he can prepare for night golf, the Englishman joked: “I guess I could turn the lights down in the studio at home. That would be the only chance I’ve got to do that. But I didn’t do that last week.”

It seems that Hatton is happy to crack on as normal!

Jon Rahm names the key issue with playing golf at night

Two-time major winner Rahm went into some more detail about the potential challenges of playing golf at night.

He said, “I wouldn’t say night golf is very accessible, but luckily, we have a golf course in Phoenix that does it. There’s a few night ranges. But Grass Clippings does have a lit-up par-3 course. We’ve played a league there, as well, and on Wednesdays, they have a pretty fun skins game, so it’s something that I’ve done in the past.

“But it’s hard because it doesn’t really translate. You’re not really hitting long irons. It’s mainly short. Teeing it up with driver, with what he just said, usually, most drivers it’s a darker face. If the light pole is behind you or to the right, those shadows creep over the ball.

“So there’s little nuances that you get used to fairly quickly, but the first time it’s a little bit of a surprise because if there’s shadows casting over the ball, it’s a dark shadow.

“The awareness of where the club face is related to the ball can be a little tricky, but once you get over that, it’s actually quite fun.”

When asked whether they would like to see more events played at night, Rahm and Hatton were unequivocal with their answer.

Hatton said, “For me personally, I’m happy it’s a one-off. It’s fun to experience it, and it creates something different, but yeah, I’m happy that it’s only once a season.

And Rahm added, “You need to be in the right place to make night golf work properly. To be able to design a course and then have the lights in the right way, because all the cables need to be on the ground, it’s not the easiest thing to do.

“I enjoy it, but I would start by saying if you were to have – one example being Adelaide next week, then you start having quite a few fans on the golf course at night, not everything can be lit, and I think it could become a liability eventually. I don’t know if you can really pull it off.”

So for now, it’s a nice change of pace that presents a new challenge for the golfers. But according to these Legion XIII teammates, less is more.

It is fair to say LIV Golf’s future as a relevant tour may depend on their ability to keep hold of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.

The exits of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed have left LIV Golf in a tough spot. Their decisions to return to the PGA Tour have raised doubts about what life on the other side has to offer.

While LIV has retained both Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau for the 2026 season, there are still plenty of questions about whether they will stick around long-term.

Since Koepka left, DeChambeau has been more vocal about some of his concerns. He even raised questions over one particular decision LIV has now taken.

Jon Rahm has a different view on LIV Golf change

DeChambeau made it clear before the 2026 season that he was not happy about LIV Golf’s decision to move to 72-hole events, pointing out that this was not what he had originally agreed to.

On the other hand, Rahm seems to feel differently. Speaking ahead of the new season, he shared his support for the switch.

“I’m happy about it. I would say I was one of the people that pushed for it. So obviously I’m happy about it,” Rahm said.

“I think the more golf we play, the better for stronger teams and stronger players, and I think it will benefit us four individuals and as a team, as well.”

Jon Rahm responds to speculation over DP World Tour penalties

Rahm’s Ryder Cup status remains up in the air, and a big part of that comes down to fines from the DP World Tour that have built up since he joined LIV Golf back in 2023.

He has already said he does not plan on paying those fines. And with LIV no longer covering penalties for their players from 2025, something will need to change if Rahm wants to be available for Adare Manor.

That change could be coming soon. Recent reports indicate the DP World Tour might stop fining LIV players altogether.

Rahm was questioned about those reports, and replied: “I personally would say I don’t know too much about the matter. Obviously I think at first, managers are going to be taking care of that early on. I don’t know what the negotiations look like. Obviously they’re going to players individually to make different deals.

“I don’t know what it may be or what it’s going to look like, but I’m happy to see that looking for a path forward for LIV players to be able to play on both tours and not to get penalized.

“I think the example of players like Tom [McKibbin] or David Puig, who’s now a winner on the European Tour, who just chose the best path possible as young players, shouldn’t be penalized because of the politics of the game.

“The fact that they’re looking at a positive way to figure it out, I think it’s only good for us, and I think it’s good for the DP World Tour, as well.”

The introduction of the Returning Members Program and ongoing questions about his Ryder Cup eligibility have given Rahm plenty of reasons to reconsider his commitment to LIV Golf in recent months.

LIV should view the Spaniard’s decision as a significant win.

Read more:

LIV Golf have taken a bold approach to promoting their latest season by turning to some of the most recognisable names in the sport.

Amidst the chaos and controversy surrounding LIV Golf, their social media team came out with an ingenious marketing video ahead of the start of the 2026 season.

The breakaway league released a video that quickly caught attention across the golfing world, with its choice of imagery adding fuel to the ongoing rivalry with the PGA Tour.

LIV Golf use PGA Tour stars in new campaign

The promotional video featured clips of PGA Tour stars, including Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy, each saying the word LIV.

Stars like Bryson DeChambeau were mentioned by name, as LIV Golf seemingly steered into the controversy surrounding their tensions with the PGA Tour.

The footage ends with the message, “Everybody’s Favorite Golf League returns February 4th.” The move surprised many fans given the continued tension between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.

On X alone, the video has thousands of views, with many fans being engaged by the controversial campaign.

Fans react as LIV Golf marketing draws attention

The campaign was widely shared online, with many fans praising the creativity behind the concept of using their rivals to promote their tour.

The reaction reflects a wider effort by LIV Golf to raise its profile ahead of the new season, following recent changes behind the scenes in its marketing operation.

With the season opener approaching, the league appears eager to build momentum and remain firmly in the spotlight.

While there are plenty of concerns about the future of LIV Golf, with there being concerns about their funding, their marketing team is definitely earning their due with this work.

Read more:

The DP World Tour is working to resolve fining its members for competing in conflicting LIV Golf events.

The new was first reported over the weekend, and LIV Golf's Jon Rahm confirmed that to be the case Monday ahead of the LIV Golf opener this week in Saudi Arabia. Rahm isn't quite sure of the details of the situation, but as someone who has been appealing his fines, along with Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton, the news is welcome.

"I personally would say I don't know too much about the matter," Rahm said. "Obviously I think at first, managers are going to be taking care of that early on. I don't know what the negotiations look like. Obviously they're going to players individually to make different deals.

"I don't know what it may be or what it's going to look like, but I'm happy to see that looking for a path forward for LIV players to be able to play on both tours and not to get penalized."

The DP World Tour began fining members in 2022 who competed in LIV events. LIV has paid fines for its players in recent years but is halting the practice this year. Rahm and Hatton have been awaiting the decision of an appeal filed in late 2024, though both players received permission to compete in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. However, future participation in the Ryder Cup and at DP World Tour events has been questioned depending on the outcome of the appeal.

LIV has not commented on the negotiations, though the DP World Tour told Sports lllustrated's Bob Harig: "We continue to have dialogue with individual members involved to explore and discuss options." Flushing It's Tom Hobbs was the first to report on the fines potentially being dropped in 2026.

"I think the example of players like Tom (McKibbin) or David Puig, who's now a winner on the European Tour, who just chose the best path possible as young players, shouldn't be penalized because of the politics of the game," Rahm continued. "The fact that they're looking at a positive way to figure it out, I think it's only good for us, and I think it's good for the DP World Tour, as well."

The decision is separate from the existing fines, which Rahm and Hatton have previously stated they wouldn't pay. They've been able to compete on the DP World Tour thanks to the appeal. Depending on the outcome of that, their future on the DP World Tour and Ryder Cup could sway on the possible agreement.

"It sounds positive, so if things are moving in the right direction, that's good for golf," Hatton said. "Yeah, we'll let other people figure that out, and we'll just focus on playing golf this week."

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Jon Rahm applauds DP World Tour’s steps toward ending LIV fines

Gear: TaylorMade TP5, TP5x golf balls (2026)

Price: $57.99 per dozen in white, yellow, Pix and Stripe.

Specs: Five-layer construction with cast urethane cover.

Available: Feb. 2 (preorder), Feb. 12 (retail)

Who it’s for: Golfers who want a premium Tour ball that balances of speed, consistency and elite short game control.

What you should know: TaylorMade rebuilt both TP5 and TP5x from the inside out with refined layer materials, thicknesses and flex profiles to unlock more speed. A new finishing process was then added to enhance consistency from ball to ball.

The Deep Dive: There’s always been a reason TP5 and TP5x have felt different from most Tour balls. They have five layers, giving TaylorMade more ways to influence performance than three- or four-layer designs. But for 2026, the company leaned harder on research, development and testing than ever before to create its new TP5 and TP5x.

Rather than relying solely on physical prototypes, TaylorMade has spent several years developing digital prototyping tools that allow engineers to evaluate how different materials, layer thicknesses, and flex profiles interact before a test ball is ever built. According to the brand, that shift expanded the development pool from a few hundred physical prototypes to more than 100,000 digital variations, uncovering construction combinations that might never have been discovered or explored in TaylorMade’s previous system.

Those findings led to meaningful internal changes in both the TP5 and the TP5x.

TP5 new material in its core and two most-inner mantle layers, along with an updated Tour Flight dimple pattern that helps the ball produce more speed with a slightly lower peak height. However, the intent was not to turn TP5 into a distance-first ball, but instead, to reduce the traditional trade-off between softer feel and speed off the tee.

The updated TP5x followed a different path. Changes to mantle materials and their flex profiles were aimed at maximizing speed and reducing driver spin, reinforcing the ball’s role as the lower-flying, firmer-feeling option in the lineup. The updated construction keeps TP5x as TaylorMade’s fastest five-layer ball while maintaining usable iron and wedge spin.

On TaylorMade’s performance chart, that separation remains intact. TP5 still sits on the softer, higher-spinning side of the spectrum, particularly around the green, while TP5x favors lower spin and a flatter flight with longer clubs. What has changed is how close the two balls are in total distance, giving golfers more freedom to choose based on feel and control rather than pure yardage.

Once those construction gains were locked in, TaylorMade turned its attention to an area most golfers never think about: Paint. Through advanced imaging and micro-measurement tools, engineers found that traditional finishing processes can allow paint to pool in the bottom of dimples, subtly altering aerodynamics even when golf balls appear identical. Those microscopic variations can introduce turbulence, leading to inconsistent peak height, carry distance, and dispersion.

To address that, TaylorMade developed a new microcoating process that applies an ultrathin, more uniform layer of paint and clear coat across the ball’s surface. By tightly controlling the paint at the particle level, the curing temperature, and the total paint volume, TaylorMade claims it can produce balls with more consistent aerodynamic properties from ball to ball. Again, the goal here was not added distance, but more predictable flight and tighter dispersion, especially in the wind.

The TP5 and TP5x will again be offered in white, yellow, Pix and Stripe versions with a redesigned Tour Stripe alignment featuring tighter feedback lines and a new performance dot intended to aid setup on the green.

For golfers already playing TP5 or TP5x, the 2026 update is less about changing what the balls do and more about refining how reliably they do it. For players choosing between the two, the decision remains familiar: TP5 favors feel and greenside control, TP5x favors speed and lower spin, and both now arrive with a greater emphasis on consistency from ball to ball.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 2026 TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x golf balls construction changes

Rick Shiels recently discussed his unlikely encounter with United States President Donald Trump.

The Englishman is one of the most popular golfers on YouTube, with over three million subscribers.

He has filmed with several top players over the years, including LIV Golf superstar and fellow content creator Bryson DeChambeau.

Shiels’ videos with DeChambeau even led him to meet Trump, whose passion for golf is well-documented.

Rick Shiels recalls meeting Donald Trump

Shiels recently discussed what happened when he met Donald Trump for the first time with English podcaster Jake Humphries.

While he did not speak about his overall feelings on Trump, Shiels made it clear that his experience was positive.

“Collaborations are key, even collaborations with players like Bryson DeChambeau,” he said. “When he first started [YouTube], I spent a week with him in West Palm Beach.

“I got to meet Trump that week as well because we filmed a lot at his golf courses, which was wild.

“He’s an interesting character. What I honestly learned from him was how receptive he was to my world. In a very small window of meeting him, it wasn’t a one-sided conversation.

“He very much wanted to know what I did and what I was doing. He wanted to have his input. He wanted to have his say on YouTube, etc.

“He was very much like, ‘What videos are you doing?’ And he said, ‘I’m sure I’ve watched a video.’ I was like, ‘That’s pretty cool.'”

Trump has long been a big fan of playing and watching golf, so Shiels’ interaction with him is not overly surprising.

Rick Shiels’ role with LIV Golf

Rick Shiels announced last year that he had signed a lucrative contract with LIV Golf.

Shiels became an ambassador for the Saudi-backed league, intending to use his huge audience to increase LIV’s popularity.

It’s difficult to assess whether the YouTuber has made a positive impact, but LIV’s ratings remain a long way behind the PGA Tour’s.

And with the recent departures of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, it feels like LIV are at their lowest point since their inauguration.

Justin Rose looks to have one hand on the Farmers Insurance Open trophy after stretching his lead through three rounds at Torrey Pines.

It has been an impressive few days from Rose, who opened with a blistering 62 on Thursday and has not looked back since.

He heads into the final round six shots clear of Joel Dahmen, having steadily increased his advantage as the tournament has gone on.

Meanwhile, those tied for ninth are already 11 shots back. They will need some help from Rose if there is going to be any late drama.

Justin Rose discusses his unusual third round at the Farmers Insurance Open

There might be a bit of hope for those chasing, with Rose carding his highest score of the week so far, even though it was still a 68.

The 45-year-old had only one bogey across the opening two rounds but dropped three shots on his back nine.

Even so, he told Golf Channel that the numbers did not quite match how he felt about his play.

He explained: “Yeah I weirdly feel like I actually hit the ball better today. I almost felt like I played better today, but obviously there were putts that slid by the edges. The first couple of days I made pretty much everything I looked at, versus today a couple of reads were a little bit off.

“But the greens, they got a little more crusty on the back nine as well, so it wasn’t like you wanted to be too positive with them and have that three, four feet coming back either.

“Listen, I played great today and was delighted with the round, enjoyed it. And obviously, the back nine, it’s not exactly windy, but once the wind kicks up to that 10mph, it definitely gets your attention.”

Justin Rose showing elite ball striking at Torrey Pines

Data Golf highlighted just three players who gained more than three shots on the field with their approach play during the third round, and Rose was one of them.

He topped the list, picking up 3.7 shots in that area alone.

But it is worth noting that Rose was the only one of those three who also gained shots off the tee.

It is impressive how he continues to play at such a high level this late into his career.

He had already made a statement earlier in the season with a strong showing at Pebble Beach ahead of the 2025 Masters. And this week, he is reinforcing that form, looking once again like a player to watch when Augusta National rolls around for the year’s first major.

Brooks Koepka is currently tracking toward a finish that would mark his lowest placement across any competitive season since joining LIV Golf.

Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour this week and sits at T55 as play continues, placing him outside the mix after his opening rounds.

The position represents unfamiliar territory when compared with his results during his time on the LIV Golf circuit. The contrast has drawn attention, given Koepka’s consistency since leaving the PGA Tour.

Brooks Koepka on pace for lowest finish since LIV Golf move

Brooks Koepka is currently listed at T55 during his PGA Tour return effort, a position that would stand as his worst finish since joining LIV Golf if it holds.

During his four seasons competing on the LIV Golf circuit, Koepka never recorded a finish at T55 or worse.

His worst finish during his time with LIV Golf came during the 2024 season, when he finished T45 at Miami.

His LIV Golf record shows consistent high placements and multiple individual victories, including becoming the first player to reach five LIV Golf wins.

Koepka LIV Golf record highlights contrast

Brooks Koepka signed with LIV Golf in 2022 and established himself as one of the circuit’s most successful performers.

Koepka’s time on the tour included individual victories at Jeddah, Orlando, Singapore, and The Greenbrier.

The consistency of those results makes his current T55 position notable, as it would represent a lower finish than any he recorded during his LIV Golf seasons.

Perhaps this is a sign that Koepka underestimated the success he would face upon returning to the PGA Tour, where things look a lot different.

Read more:

Brooks Koepka has admitted his return to the PGA Tour has surpassed what he imagined following his first appearance back.

Brooks Koepka has returned to the PGA Tour after spending many years away competing on the LIV Golf circuit.

His comeback has drawn attention around how he would be received by both fans and fellow players. The American addressed those questions after getting back into competitive action.

Brooks Koepka reacts to reception after PGA Tour return

Brooks Koepka spoke about the reaction he experienced upon returning, explaining that the welcome exceeded anything he had anticipated.

He highlighted the atmosphere around the event and the response from those around him. Koepka also reflected on how quickly initial nerves gave way to familiarity once play began.

“I don’t know what I expected, but it’s been beyond what I had expected. Overwhelming and very cool. Players seemed excited and welcomed me back.”

“Yeah, oh yeah. It was a little weird, but once you get a few holes in, you get into your comfort zone. I’m falling back in love with the game.”

The comments pointed to a sense of reassurance as Koepka settled back into PGA Tour competition.

Koepka returns to PGA Tour competition

Brooks Koepka made his return during a PGA Tour event in California, marking his first appearance back since competing on the LIV Golf circuit.

Koepka’s high-profile exit from LIV and subsequent return to the PGA Tour has been the big story in golf this year, at least so far.

His presence attracted significant attention, given his major championship pedigree and recent absence from the tour.

The appearance represented a notable moment as he rejoined familiar surroundings and resumed competing alongside players he had previously faced regularly on the PGA Tour.

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Eight-year-old Hegins native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in his first junior golf tournament outside of Pennsylvania next month.

Sebastian will hit the skies for the first time in his life when he and his father, Eric Sebastian, travel the 2026 Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from Feb. 13-16.

“The lure of the Under Armour national tour was the chance to perform on a national level, and he’s done really well with anyone else his age,” Eric said. “He won the 12-an- under bracket at eight years old in York, so the ability to get to Florida to face off with kids across the country is not something we’ve had the opportunity to do so far.”

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Eight year old Hegins’ native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in the Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from February 13-16. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Eight year old Hegins’ native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in the Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from February 13-16. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Eight year old Hegins’ native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in the Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from February 13-16. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Eight year old Hegins’ native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in the Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from February 13-16. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Eight year old Hegins’ native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in the Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from February 13-16. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Eight year old Hegins’ native Cruze Sebastian is getting ready to compete in the Under Armour Junior Tour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from February 13-16. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Sebastian will be one of 82 golfers from around the country to compete at the event, and one of just two golfers from the state of Pennsylvania.

The 8-year-old golfer has also competed at the Under Armour Junior Tournament in York, the Tri-State PGA Drive, Chip and Putt Tournament, the Sunny Hills Par-3 Junior Golf Tour, and the PGA Junior Tour in Homestead and New Tripoli.

“I like these junior tours because I have actual competition and somebody who’s level competition with me,” Cruze said. “It’s cold and hard to get outside in Pennsylvania. I’ve only played one round outside so far this year.”

Cruze first picked up a golf club at three years old. and followed in his father Eric’s footsteps when he started dirt biking at just two years old. Cruze also played soccer, baseball and basketball, but decided to stick with golfing.

“What makes it special is it’s not a common sport, and I’m really good at it for my age,” Cruze said. “It’s cool that I’m this good at my age, and as long as you’re having fun, you’ll golf well.”

Cruze enjoys golfing at Knoebels Three Ponds and Mountain Valley golf courses. He excels most in driving, and wants to work on his chipping and putting most before hitting the links in Palm Beach Gardens.

Having a pre-shot routine is what helps Cruze most at his age, and keeps him from overthinking a hole. Cruze knows it helps especially at bigger tournaments when there is down time and focus comes more into play.

“Having a pre shot routine is big at his age, because you get impatient and when you’re playing in a group setting like on the Under Armour Tour, so waiting for the other kids to hit their shots, you get impatient,” Eric said.

To qualify for the 2026 Winter Nationals, youth golfers had to play in a fall 2025 regional league and attend three league events with recorded scores in Golf Genius. They also had to meet the scoring average requirement of 49.9 or better for boys and girls ages 6 to 8.

The tournament features two rounds of championship golf, and the top eight players in each age bracket after day two advance to play in round three.

Players will also be rewarded with a fireworks display on Friday, Feb. 13 following a welcome dinner reception, as well as an exclusive championship event swag bag and range balls.

“I think it’s cool because you get to golf and compete with other kids,” Cruze said.

“This is his number one focus, and I wasn’t entirely sure we were going to do this,” Eric added. “Once we decided to, it’s exciting because we’ll be able to see whoever else in the country at his age and give him a gauge of where his golf game is at.”

Cruze enjoys watching TGL Golf and his favorite professional golfer is Tiger Woods. He is hoping for a big trophy at the Under Armour Junior Golf Tour, as well as a chance to take on a mini golf course during his time in Florida.

To follow Cruze’s travels and golf adventures, follow his Instagram page, @cruze.can.golf

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