After a short break, the various tools that make up our sport will emerge from hibernation and embark on the 2026 season.
This season has a lot to live up to after Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam success and three insanely exciting days at the Ryder Cup in Farmingdale, New York, where Team Europe had a historic week.
Thoughts will turn to whether Scottie Scheffler’s dominance at the top of the world rankings will continue, or whether the 2025 two-major winner will be reeled in by his closest challengers. Perhaps a new name will make headlines and rise to the top over the next 10 months?
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Tommy Fleetwood says it feels ‘special’ to start the year as the closest challengers to Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in the world rankings
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka’s departure from LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour has already generated a lot of buzz. There are many different opinions in different sections of the media and sports, some of which we are happy with and some who are not.
After careful consideration, the PGA Tour’s new commissioner, Brian Rolup, and his committee at Ponte Vedra have introduced new rules under the name the Returning Member Program. Koepka benefits from this rule by being a major champion and will mark his return at Torrey Pines.
Tiger Woods described it as “a win for everyone.” This is certainly for the fans, as Koepka is an elite player and popular with many golf fans, but some of his colleagues may see it a little differently.
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Tiger Woods says Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour is important to the game, explaining that fans want to see the best players compete
Koepka was initially reported to have donated $5 million to charity, with no bonuses from the FedEx Cup or the Player Equity Program, but the numbers cited are unrealistic given his star status considering the potential loss of income.
When LIV Golf began its operations, participants were told that even if there was indeed a way back, returning would be a dangerous journey with severe sanctions. Courts were visited and large sums of money were spent as legal representatives from both sides filed cases and bills. That spell caused a broken bone during the game.
Fans were frustrated, mostly because the best players didn’t compete together as often as they had hoped. The PGA Tour’s response has been to significantly increase the already impressive prize money and introduce signature events that don’t make half-hearted cuts or limit the field.
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Bryson DeChambeau explains his cryptic social media posts as Jon Rahm affirms commitment to LIV Golf following Brooks Koepka’s departure
I think everyone understood that this was to prevent top players from leaving, but now that two years have passed, the question is whether this is sustainable for years to come. Only time will tell.
Are there interesting times ahead for men’s golf?
Koepka is a good player and a good golfer, but if he performs like we know he’s capable of in the coming weeks, expect more fractures.
What would happen if he entered the final round tied for first at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, his first match back on the PGA Tour? What would happen if you played against someone who supported the PGA Tour like Jordan Spieth?
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Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir talks about why Brooks Koepka was allowed to return to the PGA Tour under the new Returning Member Program after leaving LIV Golf.
Koepka, who is said to have made $150 million in his three and a half years at LIV, will be on the first tee, but he will be joined by Spieth, who remains loyal and has nothing but what he won during that time. I don’t know if it will be easily accepted by humans. Anyway, I see conversations and different opinions continuing throughout the season as food for thought.
Without a doubt, the PGA Tour has enjoyed great success since its inception. Charities benefited more than $2 billion. The sponsors are loyal and the prize money increases every year. Improved facilities and better television coverage make tournaments more spectator-friendly.
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Relive some of this year’s best shots on the PGA Tour, all featuring Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Keegan Bradley and more
Since the inception of LIV Golf, my own thinking has been that while the integration with the DP World Tour could have been a huge success, there is a place for all three tours. The PGA Tour as we know it will continue on the “Remain of the World Tour” with stops in Australia, South Africa, the Far East, the Middle East and Europe – all the places the DP World Tour currently visits.
No one knows what will happen in the next five years, but I believe there was an opportunity to strengthen the sport. That opportunity has so far eluded those in power.
Dubai has opened the DP World Tour’s International Swing, currently underway at Creek Golf Club. A great place to start the season, followed by the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which has become one of the most prestigious tournaments on the global calendar.
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Highlights from the final round of the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with Tyrrell Hatton’s impressive win
From its humble beginnings in 1990, Emirates Golf Club has produced great champions within its iconic infrastructure. It has transformed from a desert into a global hub for finance, tourism and innovation. DP World Tour has grown alongside the United Arab Emirates and the strong relationship between our two countries will continue for many years to come.
I don’t know how many years it’s been, but even though I’m surviving January at home, it feels like it’s raining all the time. Both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour are now underway and there’s a lot to look forward to.
The Players Championship is just two months away, and in three weeks, join us for a great spring of Augusta National and the Masters. This beautiful course lifts our spirits for a week as the golf season begins. Azalea needs to come soon!
Watch the 2026 PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Majors and more live exclusively on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports now and stream without a contract.
