Today in Golf

We break down Round 3 of the WM Phoenix Open as Hideki Matsuyama eyes a third title and officials crack down on unruly content creators.WM PHOENIX OPENHideki Matsuyama sits alone at 13-under, looking to secure a historic "hat trick" of wins in the desert. He is holding off a jammed leaderboard at 12-under that includes Maverick McNealy and Ryo Hisatsune, who managed a miraculous chip-in on the 17th after finding the water.Matsuyama drained a massive 47-foot birdie on the 14th, noting later that the chaotic energy of the crowd actually helped his ball striking.Scottie Scheffler (-8) kept his 66-event cut streak alive thanks to a gravity-defying break where his ball stayed perched on a rock wall on 15, prompting him to admit, "That is not right."THE BAN HAMMERThe tournament took a hard stand against "nuisance influencers" by issuing a lifetime ban to YouTuber Jack Doherty. He was threatened with arrest after paying a fan to scream during Mackenzie Hughes’ backswing, sparking relief across the golf world.Smylie Kaufman weighed in on the chaos via Twitter with a volunteer offer regarding Doherty: "I’d like to give him a swirlie."Rickie Fowler offered genuine advice for fans wanting to avoid the circus, telling spectators to camp out on holes 3-8 for a better view of the action.Quick HitsKoepka’s mallet putter experiment fails • Spieth implodes on 17 • The "Reverse Mulligan" showdown

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

On this February 1st, 2026 episode, we break down Justin Rose’s commanding Saturday at the Farmers Insurance Open, Joel Dahmen’s chase, and the absolute chaos of Brooks Koepka's round on the South Course.ROSE IN COMMANDJustin Rose is turning back the clock at Torrey Pines, sitting at 21-under with a massive six-shot lead. We analyze his strategy of "respectful aggression" and why coach Mark Blackburn believes this is Rose's best swing since 2022.He is chasing his 13th career title at the age of 45.Rose had to mentally reset after seeing "NC NC NC" on the leaderboard, forcing himself to keep the pedal down rather than coast.THE CHASE PACK & KOEPKA CHAOSJoel Dahmen sits solo second at 15-under, riding the momentum of a three-eagle Friday and a solid Saturday 68. Meanwhile, we dissect the "Brooks Koepka experience"—from hitting a recovery shot off a concrete cart path to losing 3.5 strokes on the Poa annua greens.Johnson Wagner failed to recreate the cart path shot, but Brooks claims he’s "fallen back in love with the game."Despite the scorecard volatility, Koepka shared a viral moment with his son, Crew.SUNDAY SIDEBARSSahith Theegala celebrates his 100th made cut with custom family t-shirts, while Stephan Jaeger made a rare mid-tournament switch to a cross-handed grip to shoot the low round of the day (65).Scottie Scheffler officially holds the longest active cut streak record (65) following Xander Schauffele's exit.Quick HitsChris Gotterup’s near-albatross on 13 • Seamus Power falls to 74 • Ryo Hisatsune & Si Woo Kim lurking at T3

We break down the first two rounds of the Farmers Insurance Open, featuring Justin Rose’s vintage dominance and a bizarre broadcast controversy surrounding Brooks Koepka’s resume.FARMERS INSURANCE OPENJustin Rose turns back the clock at Torrey Pines, firing a 62 on the North and 65 on the South to reach a staggering 17-under par. He holds a four-shot lead over a resurgent Seamus Power, who has finally solved a two-year back injury.Rose went 29 holes without a bogey, noting his "process is fantastic" despite a late bunker slip-up.Joel Dahmen provided the statistical absurdity of the week, carding three eagles during his second round on the North Course.BROADCAST DRAMA & TOUR NEWSThe commentary booth sparked outrage by claiming Brooks Koepka has been "away from the game" for three years, seemingly ignoring his major championship and LIV victories. Koepka scraped by to make the cut on the number (-3).Amidst the noise, Koepka offered a candid soundbite about simply wanting to be "loved by the fans."Rumors swirl regarding Patrick Reed eyeing a PGA Tour return in September, while Justin Lower battles for his card with his wife 34 weeks pregnant with twins.Quick HitsWoodland’s slam dunk hole-out • Rookie DQ’d for green reading materials • Lanto’s "Koepka Rule" joke