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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.