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Brooks Koepka, a five-time major winner who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in 2022 but quit the Saudi-backed series last month, has applied for PGA reinstatement, ESPN and Golf Channel reported.The 35-year-old American, a nine-time PGA Tour champion and five-time LIV winner, departed LIV with a year remaining on his contract, but it was unclear when he might be allowed to return to the PGA Tour, according to the reports.ESPN reported that the PGA Tour will begin a reinstatement and disciplinary process that includes input from players on the board of directors.Koepka, a two-time US Open champion and three-time PGA Championship winner, has not competed in a PGA Tour event since the Valspar Championship in March 2022.After jumping to LIV Golf, Koepka became the first active LIV golfer to win a major title when he captured the 2023 PGA at Oak Hill, which has made him eligible to compete in all four majors this year.Koepka won the 2018 US Open at Shinnecock, where this year's US Open will be contested in June.The PGA Tour ban on Koepka did not keep him from playing for the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy.LIV Golf chief executive Scott O'Neil said in December that Koepka and LIV "mutually agreed" to his departure.Koepka won LIV titles in 2022 at Jeddah, 2023 in Orlando and Jeddah and 2024 at Singapore and Greenbrier.Since leaving the PGA Tour, Koepka has not been critical of the tour and was not among players who filed a lawsuit against the tour over its ban of defectors to LIV from its tour events."Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional and we wish him and his family continued success," the PGA Tour said in a statement when the Koepka-LIV split was announced.Another LIV star, two-time US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau, is not signed with LIV Golf beyond the 2026 season.DeChambeau won the 2020 US Open and became the second active LIV player to win a major when he captured the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst.DeChambeau has won nine times of the PGA Tour and three times in LIV Golf, including last year's South Korea event.Rory McIlroy, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning last year's Masters, spoke on the subject of players returning to the PGA Tour from LIV in the "Stick to Football" podcast."They've made the money, but they've paid their consequence in terms of the reputation and some of the things they've lost by going over there," McIlroy said of PGA defectors to LIV."If it made the overall tour stronger to have Bryson DeChambeau back and whoever else, I would be OK with it. But again, it's not just me and I recognize that not everyone is in my position. It would be up to the collective group of PGA Tour members to make that decision."Asked about the issue, two-time major winner Xander Schauffele said, "It's going to be hard to make everybody happy, I can answer that." 

Anthony Kim made an 8-foot birdie putt on his final hole to make the cut on the number and advance to the weekend at the LIV Golf Promotions event at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Fla.Twenty-two of the ‌47 remaining players in the second round qualified for the weekend; scores ‌will now reset for the ‍final 36 holes to be played Saturday and Sunday.The top three finishers at the four-round event will be ⁠awarded full-season, wild-card spots for the 2026 ⁠LIV Golf League season, and each of the top 10 finishers plus ties will be ‍exempt for the 2026 International Series co- sponsored by the Asian Tour.Kim was among several players who received an exemption into the second round, while others began Thursday with a play-in round. The former wunderkind from California, now 40, returned from a 12-year hiatus from the game (2012-24) when he competed on the LIV circuit as a wild card in 2024, and again in 2025.But he was relegated at the ‌end of the 2025 season and is trying to earn his way back.The birdie at the final hole clinched him a 1-under-par 69, which got him into the top 20 and ties ‍that advanced to the weekend. He ⁠tied six players ‌at that score, including fellow ex-LIV golfers Matt Jones of Australia and Kieran Vincent of Zimbabwe."Today was a rough day. Didn't get off to a great start," Kim said. "But after I made bogey on 17, I knew I needed to make birdie on 18. Gave myself a chance and felt good over the putt, and fortunately it fell."He said he felt calm over the putt, which had more riding on it than most others in the second act of his pro career."Today, I'll be honest, was about a 5," Kim said. "I thought I would be a little sharper after playing in Asia and Saudi. But not ​playing tournament golf, it definitely - it's something ‌that you have to get used to. It's not nerves, but it's just different lines you're taking and how aggressive ⁠you want to be on certain ‍holes. I didn't do a great job of it, but I stayed patient and made a putt when it mattered."The best two-day score belonged to Canada's Richard T. Lee, an Asian Tour player who followed Thursday's 64 with a 66 that featured eagles at the par-5 ninth and 16th holes."I stuck a 5-wood to about 5 feet and got a ​lucky bounce, actually, and made the putt," Lee said of the first eagle. "Made another eagle on 16, as well. I was in the waste bunker and just ran a 5-iron up there and stuck it about three feet and pretty much made my round like that."The low score of Round 2 was posted by South Korea's Jeunghun Wang, who was exempt from the play-in and shot a bogey-free 65 his first trip around the course."It would be a really big opportunity for me," Wang said. "Maybe for all ⁠the players, because it's a really big league and a lot of good players, big names in LIV. I would be very excited to play on LIV." 

In the wake of Brooks Koepka's early departure from LIV Golf, it's only natural that all eyes would turn to see if LIV's most popular star, Bryson DeChambeau, would similarly jump ship with ‌one year left on his contract or sign an extension early.If ‌you're waiting for a ‍clear answer, you'll have to keep waiting."It's confidential. I'm not going to share too ⁠much, but the conversations are in ⁠process," DeChambeau told social media outlet Flushing It Golf in a long- ranging ‍interview.DeChambeau left the door open on his future at LIV Golf, while the American also offered praise and positivity for his experience with the Saudi-backed league."We have to get to a place where both parties have a good understanding of one another," DeChambeau said of his readiness to sign an extension on a contract that expires after the ‌2026 season. "It is getting to a place that makes sense for both sides. And, I think that can happen, but you never know. Life throws curve balls."Koepka's deceptive ‍pitch came in the form ⁠of an announcement ‌by LIV Golf on Dec. 23 that the two sides had "amicably and mutually agreed" to part ways. With a reported year remaining on his LIV contract, Koepka said he wanted to prioritize spending more time with family."That was quite a shock to a lot of people," DeChambeau said. "There was always rumblings, but ultimately, it was a shock when I saw it today. ... People make decisions for whatever their needs and wants are, and ultimately, you have to respect it and move on, and it feels like it was a mutual understanding ​and that's great."DeChambeau did ‌express excitement for his successful Crushers GC team and his passion for the potential growth of team ⁠golf.DeChambeau -- who is among the ‍LIV team captains that own 25% of their franchises -- said his Crushers team has cleared $20 million in revenue.After expressing optimism at June's U.S. Open about renegotiating his LIV Golf deal before the end of the year, DeChambeau hesitated to say whether an extension could be done before LIV Golf's first ​event of the new season in February at Riyadh."I don't know about before Riyadh, there's a lot of things to go through," he said. "You know, it's a scenario that is very unique. With Brooks leaving, it definitely throws in some unique things. I've said it all along, I want to do this, I want to grow team golf across the globe. But it has to be right. And there's a lot of things that ⁠have to be done in order for it to be right, you know?"... It's going to be interesting to see what happens." 

Qatar’s national golf team claimed both the team and individual titles in the under-16 category at the Gulf Golf Championship, held at Ghala Golf Club in Muscat, Oman.The youngsters delivered a consistent performance over three days to finish top of the team standings with a total score of +51 in one of the most competitive junior editions of the championship. Bahrain placed second after a close contest that went down to the final rounds, posting +59, while the United Arab Emirates finished third on +67. In the individual event, Qatar’s Daniel Sokolov stole the spotlight with a commanding display, securing the gold medal with an impressive overall score of -6. Sokolov finished well clear of his nearest challengers, underlining his promise and potential at both regional and continental levels. Bahrain’s Khalid Sadeeq took second place on +26, with Oman’s Mohib al-Kathiri claiming third at +31. The Gulf Junior Golf Championship is regarded as a key event on the GCC sporting calendar, playing an important role in identifying and nurturing young talent and preparing future national team players. Ghala Golf Club, one of the region’s most renowned courses, added a technical edge to the competition with a layout that demands precision and consistency. Qatar Golf Association president and head of the Qatari delegation Hamad Abdullah al-Mana expressed pride in the achievement. Al-Mana added that the result reflects the QGA’s continued commitment to junior development and its long-term strategy of building competitive national teams capable of achieving success at Gulf, regional and international levels. 

Matt and Cameron Kuchar shot a tournament-record 54 on the second and final day of the PNC Championship to land their first title in the father-son ‌event on Sunday in Orlando, Fla.Playing a scramble format, ‌Team Kuchar carded ‍14 birdies, two eagles and just two pars for the 18-under-par round at ⁠Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. After starting the ⁠day with the lead, the Kuchars cruised to a ‍seven-stroke victory at 33-under 111.Matt Kuchar set up both of his team's eagles, first with a draw shot at the par-5 third that left Cameron an easy putt, then again at the par-5 18th when he stuck his shot inside 3 feet and could be seen fighting ‌through tears.It led to an outpouring of emotion afterwards from the 47-year-old PGA Tour vet, whose father, Peter, died early this year."I ‍don't know if you ⁠believe in karma, ‌if you believe in fate, whatever you believe in, there's something - something magical that does exist," Matt Kuchar said. "I'm a believer in God that Dad is up above looking down, and that - what happened on 18, I could hardly stand up and hit a shot. For me to hit it to a foot, makes me think there's something more out there. (I) just miss - miss Pops."Cameron Kuchar explained just how fun it was ​to win the event ‌with his dad and to play excellent golf along the way."That was amazing," he said. "I ⁠wasn't keeping as ‍much track today as I was Monday but I probably made five or six solo birdies. Every now and then, I would let him know, ‘All right, I made that one myself.' But he also made a few solos and he'd come right ​back and he'd go, ‘That was all me right there.' It was just fun just going back-and-forth like that."Team Love (Davis Love III and Dru Love) shot a 58 to move to 26 under par and tie for second with Team Daly (John Daly, John Daly II), who carded a 59.Rounding out the top five, both Team Korda (Nelly Korda, Petr Korda) ⁠and Team Stricker (Steve Stricker, Izzi Stricker) finished at 25 under. Both teams shot 59 in the final round. 

Chase Koepka is injury-free and ready to battle his way back to LIV Golf for the first time since being relegated in 2023.The 31-year-old American is setting his sights on LIV’s Promotions event in January to complete a comeback to the Saudi-backed league, two years after losing his spot with only four top-40 finishes in his second season.“For me, the nice thing about the Promotions event is that it’s in Florida, it’s a home event,” Koepka told Bunkered. “I haven’t been able to play it for the last two years because of injury, so it would be great to have that opportunity. Good golf takes care of itself.”Shortly after his 2023 relegation, Koepka suffered an offseason shoulder injury that required major surgery and kept him away from competition for more than a year.Koepka returned to the golf course in January, He enjoyed a solid stretch before more recent struggles landed him at 44th in the International Series Order of Merit, well off the top-two mark that would have secured a place in LIV next year.“It has been up and down,” Koepka said of his recent play, after finishing T43 at the Singapore Open last weekend. “I’ve played some solid weeks, but I haven’t quite put myself in contention to win. It’s not that I’m playing badly - just not well enough to be up there with a chance on Sunday. That’s the next step for me.”Koepka’s 8-under-par score at Singapore was matched by Anthony Kim, who is looking to continue a comeback of his own.Kim returned to professional golf early last year after a 12-year hiatus during which he struggled with addiction and suicidal ideation. Although he was relegated in August after almost two full seasons with LIV, he hopes the January Promotions event will be his ticket to return.Regardless, the former Ryder Cup winner said he plans to make most of his pro starts next year on the Asian Tour in International Series events.“It is a long way over here. So as much as I want to compete, you know, part of my comeback to golf is being with my family,” Kim said. “And it is a lot of trouble for the family, so we will pick some events to play.”The 40-year-old also shared his future commitment to the sport.“This is something I am looking forward to and yes, regardless, I am going to play for a few more years,” he said. “I do not know how long I want to play golf for, but this is something I am committed to. I am motivated to play as good as I can, work as hard as I can, and you know, the results will speak for themselves.”

The Qatar National Golf Team has added a new chapter to its record of success, with Daniil Sokolov claiming victory at the Egypt Open Golf Championship, a tournament sanctioned by the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and part of the Arab Golf Federation Series. The championship concluded last Saturday in Cairo.Displaying exceptional form and composure, Sokolov dominated the three-round event, finishing nine-under par (-9) to secure the title ahead of a strong field of top Arab and international golfers. His steady performance and mental resilience throughout the competition earned him a thoroughly deserved triumph and the winner’s trophy.Qatar’s Saleh al-Kaabi also delivered a commendable performance, finishing fourth at +1, reinforcing Qatar’s strong representation and contributing to the country’s continued lead in the Arab Golf Federation rankings.This achievement underscores the Qatar Golf Association’s unwavering commitment to nurturing elite athletes through comprehensive training programs that focus on technical precision, physical conditioning, and mental preparation — key factors in competing successfully on both regional and international stages.Sokolov’s victory was defined by sharp course strategy, precise shot-making, and remarkable consistency in navigating challenging fairways and greens. Meanwhile, al-Kaabi’s poise and experience under competitive pressure further demonstrated Qatar’s depth of golfing talent.With this impressive result, Qatar continues to solidify its standing as a powerhouse in Arab golf, driven by the visionary leadership of the Qatar Golf Association and its dedication to developing homegrown players capable of excelling at the highest levels of the sport.

Qatar’s golf stars, Daniel Sokolov and Saleh Al Kaabi, delivered remarkable performances at the Bahrain Open Golf Championship, which concluded on Saturday. The young talents continued their impressive form, with Daniel clinching second place and Al Kaabi securing third, marking yet another milestone achievement for Qatari golf.Despite being only 14 years old, Daniel displayed maturity beyond his years, showcasing confidence, precision, and composure throughout the tournament. He opened with an exceptional 65, followed by rounds of 70 and 76, finishing with a total of 211 strokes, five under par — an extraordinary result that earned him a well-deserved runner-up position.Meanwhile, Saleh Al Kaabi maintained a strong and consistent performance across his three rounds, carding 68, 72, and 72 for a total of 212 strokes, four under par, to claim third place overall. The championship title went to Malaysia’s Zubair Firdaus, who finished his rounds with a total of 209 strokes, edging Daniel by just two strokes after a tightly contested final day.This achievement reflects the Qatar Golf Association’s continuous efforts to develop and nurture local talent through advanced technical and training programs designed to prepare the next generation of golfers capable of competing at the highest regional and international levels. It also highlights the significant progress golf in Qatar has witnessed in recent years.Commenting on the team’s success, Fahad Nasser Al Naimi, Secretary General of the Qatar Golf Association and Head of the Qatari delegation, emphasized that the Bahrain Open is one of the region’s premier events, recognized by both the World and Arab Golf Rankings. He noted that these outstanding results are because of the QGA’s strategic plan to elevate players’ technical and mental capabilities through systematic development programs.Al Naimi added that Qatari golfers continue to lead the Arab rankings, thanks to structured planning, consistent effort, and unwavering institutional support. He reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to providing a comprehensive training environment that empowers young talents to represent Qatar in the best possible way on both regional and global stages.

Visit Qatar signed a multi-year entertainment partnership with MELT Live, the global events company chaired by entertainment icon Steve Harvey, aimed at establishing the country as a premier hub for culture, lifestyle, and world-class events.The collaboration, sealed in Doha Wednesday, will introduce internationally recognised platforms to Qatar, with two flagship events set to debut in 2026.The signing ceremony was led by Qatar Tourism chair and chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar HE Saad bin Ali al-Kharji and MELT Live Events chairman Steve Harvey.FuelFest Qatar, a high-energy festival that merges international car culture with live music, is designed to unite automotive enthusiasts and feature global talent; while the Golf Classic by Steve Harvey is a unique lifestyle and sporting event blending competitive golf, top-tier entertainment, and celebrity participation, intended to provide a major platform for global exposure.Al-Kharji highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration, saying: “This strategic collaboration with MELT Live reflects our ambition to strengthen Qatar’s position as a global destination for major cultural and lifestyle events.“By introducing distinctive international platforms such as FuelFest and the Golf Classic, we are diversifying Qatar’s events calendar, creating new opportunities for engagement, and showcasing the country’s commitment to delivering world-class experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.”Speaking at the announcement, Harvey underlined the foundational philosophy of his company and his attraction to the region, noting that “MELT is an acronym: M stands for the merging of cultures and ideas; E is for the enlightenment and empowerment of people; L is for learning and leadership; T is for trade and technology”.He said the launch of MELT Live in the Gulf region was motivated by the desire to merge global ideas and address misconceptions about the Middle East.“The appeal was to come here and to open up other people’s eyes about the Middle East to try to get rid of some of the misconceptions here,” Harvey said, highlighting Qatar’s unique characteristics.“I've never been anywhere where there’s complete peace... The whole thing about MELT was the merging of cultures and ideas because we have more similarities as people than we do differences,” he added.Harvey said the initial events are designed to introduce high-profile business and celebrity figures to the region. He noted that FuelFest, which originated as a spin-off from the Fast & Furious film franchise, draws large international audiences and significant automotive presence.“The future looks so bright, we could do so many things because of the willingness of Qatar, just the openness that they have towards us. It’s an honour to be in Qatar to witness this exciting new chapter with Visit Qatar and MELT Live. These events are about more than entertainment – they’re about building connections, celebrating culture, and creating unforgettable experiences,” he added.According to Visit Qatar, this landmark agreement marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration and underscores its commitment to expanding the nation’s events portfolio, creating opportunities for cultural exchange, and attracting global audiences to experience Qatar’s unique blend of hospitality and world-class entertainment.A diverse calendar of additional events is currently being planned by MELT Live and Visit Qatar, with more information expected to be announced in the coming months.

In an exceptional sporting achievement, Qatar National Golf Team player Daniil Sokolov claimed the title at the 34th Jordan Open Men’s Golf Championship, held in Aqaba, Jordan, from September 4 to 6, 2025. ‍This championship is considered one of the most prestigious Arab men’s open tournaments, featuring top players from across the Arab world, alongside the first men’s national teams from the Gulf countries.Despite being only 14 years old, Daniil outperformed highly experienced competitors, establishing himself as one of the region’s most promising rising stars in golf.This victory marks a significant milestone in Daniil’s career with the Qatar Golf Association, showcasing his exceptional skills and outstanding performance throughout the tournament. His achievement highlights both his talent and his dedication to the sport.It is noteworthy that Daniil previously qualified for the U.S. Junior Golf Championship (under 19), reflecting his continuous development and ambition to reach the highest levels of the sport from a young age. Daniil Sokolov’s success stands as a proud testament to Qatari talent in the world of golf.