We are two events and one round into Brooks Koepka’s PGA Tour return, and things are not going to plan for the five-time major winner.
First, he scratched and clawed to make the cut at Torrey Pines with a late Friday surge. Then Koepka missed the cut and played poorly throughout his first two rounds at the WM Phoenix Open. On both occasions, his putting cost him.
Advertisement
There was some optimism, both internally and externally, that Koepka’s recent putter change would turn his fortunes around.
He introduced a TaylorMade Spider X, used by five of the last six PGA Tour winners, to his bag last week, and, after a tournament of growing pains in Phoenix, this was supposed to correct his form on the greens.
But Koepka is three-over par after Thursday at the Cognizant Classic, and looks set to miss the cut for the second straight week. What’s becoming clear is that Koepka should have taken Patrick Reed’s approach when he left LIV Golf.
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Brooks Koepka should have joined the DP World Tour when he left LIV Golf
Two big names left LIV Golf this year, taking very different approaches. First it was Koepka, who negotiated his way back onto the PGA Tour immediately, given that he accepted a number of terms. As discussed, this hasn’t gone well so far.
Advertisement
The other name was 2018 Masters winner Reed, who, instead of finding a way back to the PGA Tour, decided to play on the DP World Tour for a season before returning in 2027 as a past champion. This was a masterstroke.
Playing on the DP World Tour, Reed has reminded the golfing world what a superstar he is. His first three events since leaving LIV have been two victories and a T2 finish, incredible form that has firmly put him in contention to steal Rory McIlroy’s Race to Dubai title.
This sets the American up perfectly to hit the ground running on the PGA Tour in 2027. If he continues with this form, he must feel like he can take it to the likes of Scottie Scheffler and co to contend for victories, week in, week out.
Meanwhile, Koepka would bite your hand off for a solid week and a made cut. He was in poor form on LIV, recording only two top fives last season, and hopes to ease his way back into PGA Tour contention. But it’s already looking like it will be a long season for Koepka.
Advertisement
The DP World Tour presented an opportunity for Koepka to find his feet, round back into form, and regain his confidence. Instead, he changed his putter for the first time in over a decade, and looks to have zero confidence in himself.
Reed has laid out the blueprint for a successful post-LIV season, and Koepka must regret not taking the same approach.
Patrick Reed reinvigorated with a new goal in sight
Reed’s aim for his season on the DP World Tour is clear: rip the Race to Dubai title from the hands of his old adversary, McIlroy, who has owned the award for nearly two decades.
McIlroy is attempting to tie Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight titles this season, but he’s already on the back foot thanks to Reed’s red-hot start. And as an American on the European Tour, Reed is relishing this opportunity.
Advertisement
He said ahead of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic: “I always felt like the fans have really shown some great support with me over here, and I felt like the Tour has, as well, and because of that, I’ve always come back.
“I love being that one American that comes over and tries to be a thorn in everyone’s side when all the Europeans are out playing. It’s fun, it’s fun coming over and playing.”
He’s seen it all on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, so Reed is relishing this new challenge for 2026. It’s certainly getting the best out of him.
Read the full article here
