Teeing Up This Week’s Breaking News - March 10

Reporting live from the first hole, where we are ready to tee off and hammer away with this week’s breaking news in the vast green landscape of golf. My name is Tessa Lapradez, and I am here to give you an update about the sport and all things golf on and off the court. With the 2024 end-of-the-year TV deal secured between LIV and FOX Sports and the debut of TGL, this is the year of innovation for golf. Off into the course we go! 

Leaving LIV:

Is Brooks Koepka moving on from LIV?

64-time PGA Tour winner Fred Couples ignited the conversation on KJR 93.3 FM radio, suggesting that Koepka confided in him about his wish to return “home.”

“I talk to Brooks Koepka all the time.. he wants to come back,” said Couples.

The comment coming from Couples’ mouth is no surprise, as he has been one of the fiercest advocates against LIV since Spanish golfer Jon Rahm joined the Saudi-backed tour in 2023. 

Disgraced (at least to most) LIV golfer Phil Mickelson fired back at Couples by commenting on Golf Digest’s post on X about Koepka’s potential move. 

“If it’s not true he damaged a relationship which he cares about,” said Mickelson. “Either way, this is a low-class jerk move by Fred.”

Why did Mickelson delete his posted comment? One can only assume that he doesn’t want an awkward reunion with Couples come the Masters this April. 

Uphill Journeys:

Tiger Woods and his Jupiter Links Golf Club rounded out their TGL season, losing to Atlanta Drive GC by 9 to 1. Although the team did not move on to the playoffs, Woods appeared to enjoy the experience of playing alongside Kevin Kisner, Max Homa and Tom Kim. And after all, a lot of the joy in playing golf comes from the experience.

Woods shared that the tournament was only the third time he touched a club since his mom, Kutilda, passed away on February 4. 

“My heart is not really into practicing right now,” said Woods. “Once I start probably feeling a little bit better and start getting into it, I'll start looking at the schedule.”

There are moments where golfers choose to place their personal and mental health before the game, and this is certainly a time where Woods should take a breather and process the deep loss. 

Scoring Superstitions:

You know those odd “solutions” that golfers swear can change their game?

Well, Norwegian favorite Viktor Hovland is proof that not only amateur golfers have come to strange conclusions on how to improve their games. 

To improve his putting, Hovland is not only switching back to the Ping prototype DS-72 but is also choosing to believe that going back to old Nike shoes can save his putting game. 

“I feel I can read the slopes of the greens better with my feet,” said Hovland. “They are so light and actually a bit unstable compared to the Puma shoes I’ve been using for a while now.” The golfer is making the change despite his exclusive shoe-only agreement with Puma that was signed in 2024.

Don’t blame it on the shoes, Hovland! Focus on fixing your fundamentals and call your coach for a 9-1-1 putting practice.