Today in Golf

We break down the Japanese leaderboard takeover at the WM Phoenix Open, Scottie Scheffler’s shocking mortality, and the equipment changes plaguing a "terrified" Brooks Koepka.JAPANESE TAKEOVERRookie Ryo Hisatsune leads the pack at 11-under after a stellar 63, but the story of the day is Hideki Matsuyama. The former champion went "nuclear" late, setting up a fascinating Master vs. Student weekend showdown in the desert.The Run: Matsuyama birdied six consecutive holes to vault into solo second at 10-under.The Fix: Hisatsune credits a new putting grip for his sudden surge to the top.SCOTTIE STUMBLES & BROOKS BLINKSScottie Scheffler looked human for the first time in ages, shooting a shocking 73 to snap his historic sub-par streak due to uncharacteristic flubbed chips. Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka made a desperate switch from his blade to a Spider mallet.The Quote: Koepka admitted he’s been "terrified" of putting for two years while sitting outside the cut line.The Olive Branch: Despite the struggles, Scheffler went on record welcoming LIV competitors back to the Tour.PARTY HOLE CHAOS & OFF-COURSE DRAMAThe People’s Open delivered the viral goods: Joel Dahmen chipped in wearing a Seahawks helmet on 16, and Cameron Young played off a concrete cart path. But the drama wasn't just on the grass—we dig into Wesley Bryan’s suspension and denied meeting with Jay Monahan.Shot of the Day: Sahith Theegala’s electric bunker hole-out sent the crowd into a frenzy.Social Beef: Dylan Wu took to social media to criticize the Tour’s handling of alternate spots.Quick HitsCam Davis’s near-ace on 17 • Si Woo Kim fires a 62 • Fitzpatrick ties back-nine record

On Friday, February 6th, 2026, we break down the irony of Scottie’s water ball in Phoenix, the "Free Wesley" saga, and Patrick Reed’s master plan to regain a PGA Tour card.PHOENIX CHAOS & THE FREE WESLEY MOVEMENTScottie Scheffler (T45) commits the ultimate irony, drowning his drive on the par-5 15th just 24 hours after explicitly warning the media that a "left center" shot ends up wet. Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka benches the blade for a mallet in a move we’re calling the "Scheffler Effect."Leader Chris Gotterup (-8) is just trying to "embrace the madness" in Scottsdale.The "Free Wesley" saga turns cold as the Tour rejects a meeting request from Bryan’s wife, leaving him asking, "Why can't we talk on the phone for ten or fifteen minutes?"REED’S 4D CHESS & RIYADH RUMBLINGSPatrick Reed opens with a 65 at the Qatar Masters, exploiting a loophole to chase a Top 10 Race to Dubai finish—and a potential PGA Tour card—while Pat Perez sits suspended.Talor Gooch leads LIV Riyadh at -10 after nearly jarring it on the 17th.Jon Rahm (-9) is playing well, but his body language suggests he is *not* a fan of the new "top ten only" OWGR restrictions.Quick HitsTiger eyes the '26 Senior Open • Nelly Korda’s Hall of Fame math • David Puig’s miracle recovery

We break down the OWGR’s controversial decision to finally award LIV Golf ranking points, recap a wild Round 1 in Riyadh, and preview the vibes at the WM Phoenix Open.LIV GOLF & OWGR NEWSThe OWGR officially recognizes LIV for the 2026 season, but the new "Small Field Tournament" classification restricts points to only the top 10 finishers.Jon Rahm slammed the ruling as "unprecedented," criticizing the lack of parity compared to the Hero World Challenge.Peter Uihlein pulled off a miracle hook shot around a palm tree to share the Round 1 lead in Riyadh.WM PHOENIX OPEN PREVIEWThe party starts in Scottsdale as Scottie Scheffler jokes he’s eating with plastic silverware to avoid injury while welcoming Brooks Koepka back to the fold.Justin Thomas shared an emotional moment on the 13th green with shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin, calling her putt "dead center."Brooks Koepka and Travis Kelce teamed up for a high-energy Pro-Am pairing.Quick HitsBryson tests illegal prototype driver • Phil Mickelson WD for family health • Apple Sports adds golf scores • Harrington’s 500th start

We break down the "Reverse Exodus" as Patrick Reed leaves LIV for the DP World Tour, analyze the league’s controversial new OWGR status, and preview Scottie Scheffler’s historic chase at the WM Phoenix Open.LIV GOLF / THE SHIFTThe landscape fractures again as LIV Golf finally secures OWGR points for the Riyadh opener, but with a strict "Top 10 only" caveat. Meanwhile, Patrick Reed headlines the "Reverse Exodus," officially departing for the DP World Tour, while Bryson DeChambeau voices frustration over the pivot to 72-hole tournaments.Quote: "We didn't sign up to play for seventy-two." — Bryson DeChambeau.The Human Element: Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines was filled with anxiety, as he admitted to being "terrified of being exiled" following a T56 finish.TIGER, TGL & THE COLISEUMTiger Woods is ruling with an iron fist in the TGL, threatening to cut Kevin Kisner from Jupiter Links for poor play, even as his own rehab is limited to short irons. Looking ahead, the tour descends on TPC Scottsdale where Scottie Scheffler eyes a legendary three-peat.Quote: Harris English on the players returning from LIV: "The grass is not greener."Fun Fact: To handle the chaotic logistics of LIV’s Night Golf in Riyadh, Byeong Hun An is utilizing AI to generate optimized sleep schedules.Quick HitsPhil Mickelson & Lee Westwood withdraw from Riyadh • LIV field expands to 57 players • Koepka returns to the Phoenix Open

We break down Justin Rose’s emotional triumph at Torrey Pines, the rocky return of LIV stars to the PGA Tour, and the internal drama fracturing the breakaway league.PGA TOUR: ROSE’S LOYALTY & KOEPKA’S STRUGGLEJustin Rose silences the doubters with a historic 23-under victory at Torrey Pines. At 45, Rose validated his decision to reject a rumored $60M LIV offer, choosing to honor his "childhood self" over the paycheck.Brooks Koepka finishes T56 in his return after paying a $5M fine, admitting he came back for his son, Crew.The Human Angle: An emotional full circle: Rose gifted the signed 18th hole flag to caddie Mark "Fooch" Fulcher, closing the loop on their 2019 win when Fooch was hospitalized.LIV GOLF: INTERNAL FRICTION & DEPARTURESThe league faces an identity crisis as Patrick Reed departs for the DP World Tour to find a "dogfight," while Bryson DeChambeau publicly slams the shift to 72-hole events, clashing with Jon Rahm’s support for the format change.Quote: Bryson DeChambeau on the format shift: "We didn't sign up to play for seventy-two."The Human Angle: Phil Mickelson is stepping away from the Riyadh launch to attend to a family health matter involving his wife, Amy.LPGA & PREVIEWS: SHORTENED ROUNDS & PHOENIX CHAOSControversy erupts on the LPGA as Nelly Korda wins a shortened 54-hole event. Annika Sorenstam blasted the decision calling conditions "fair as anything," while Danielle Kang took to social media to voice the locker room's frustration.Stat: Scottie Scheffler opens as the +190 favorite for the WM Phoenix Open.Fun Fact: Brooks Koepka had a desperate Saturday night putting session at the Scotty Cameron Studio before heading to the chaos of the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale.Quick HitsLIV uses Tiger & Rory in controversial promos • Ollie Schniederjans subs for Phil • Jordan Spieth needs a bounce-back

We break down Justin Rose’s historic wire-to-wire victory at the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open, Brooks Koepka’s complicated return to Tour, and the viral moments defining the week at Torrey Pines.ROSE BLOOMS AGAINJustin Rose turns back the clock with a wire-to-wire masterclass, posting a final round 70 to finish at 23-under par and shattering the tournament scoring record previously held by Tiger Woods and George Burns.The Declaration: "I’m targeting a playing role, not a captaincy." — Rose on his 2027 Ryder Cup ambitions.The Spark: The emotional reunion with longtime caddie Mark "Fooch" Fulcher seems to be the catalyst for what Rose calls his career’s "Indian Summer."THE REVERSE EXODUSBrooks Koepka’s highly anticipated return ends in a T56 finish defined by a bizarre statistical split: elite ball-striking plagued by a dead-last putting performance that forced a four-hour Saturday night emergency session at the Scotty Cameron Studio.The Vibe: Despite the flatstick struggles, the fans welcomed "The Tank" back with open arms.THE B-FLIGHT BATTLEWhile Pierceson Coody, Si Woo Kim, and Ryo Hisatsune fought for second, Joel Dahmen secured crucial reshuffle points despite a Sunday slide and a viral quip about his strategy to catch the leader.Quote of the Week: "I need him to miss his alarm clock." — Joel Dahmen on Justin Rose.Fashion Statement: Kris Ventura provided the visual of the week, rolling up his khakis to play from a water hazard—while keeping his FootJoys on.Quick HitsJake Knapp’s furious finish for solo 5th • Michael Brennan’s heartbreaking self-reported DQ • Tony Finau eagles 18 for his daughter’s birthday • Sahith Theegala makes his 100th cut • On to the WM Phoenix Open