Feb 03, 2026
3 min read
The Farmers Insurance Open was the stage for Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour, but the five-time major winner clashed with Amanda Balionis over his performance.
Brooks Koepka and Amanda Balionis had a nasty falling out after the PGA Tour
The Farmers Insurance Open was the scene of Brooks Koepka's PGA Tour comeback, but her performance was inconsistent with five-time major winner Amanda Polionis.
Brooks Koepka and CBS golf reporter Amanda Balionis had a nasty disagreement about his return to the PGA Tour at the Farriers Insurance Open.
Koepka, 35, a five-time major winner, sealed a sensational return to the PGA Tour earlier this month after leaving the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour after three-and-a-half years.Patrick Reed will follow Kopecka in returning to the PGA Tour, plans to play later in 2026 when he is eligible, and plans to earn full membership next year.
Koepka made his return to the PGA Tour over the weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in California.After an opening 73, Koepka returned with a 4-under 68, sitting at 3-under for two rounds and clinching a spot for the weekend.In his final two rounds, he posted 73 and 2-under 70 to finish tied for 56th at No. 4 Torrey.Pines.This comes after Balionis had a rocky start to their relationship with an explosive passion for his new lover.
Koepka wasn't great in the earlier rounds, but he improved significantly in the final round, as CBS' Balionis noted in a post-tournament interview.
The American spent the night before the final hour practicing, which Balionis said brought about a "huge improvement".
But Koepka disagreed.He insists he was "not good" and sometimes "overwhelmed" in the final round, and is looking forward to this week's Phoenix Open on the Stadium Course.
"I mean, it wasn't good today, I think I did too much, but a little bit, a few more hours of practice will be good," Koepka said."Next week, the greens are very good, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, go out and grind."
Balonis pushed back, insisting he broke even in the final round, compared to his 5-and-a-half-stroke finish on Saturday.
“Yesterday, you were down about five and a half strokes on the field when hitting.You broke a lot today, so that's definitely an improvement,” Baliones said.
“I was talking to your caddy, Ricky, earlier this week and he said it's funny when you walk into Torrey Pines, it feels like almost nothing has changed, and then you realize so much has changed.
"The players are getting younger, the results are worse. When you leave this week, what do you like about your hometown and what makes you feel most different?"
"Yeah, the biggest change is obviously I feel like I probably don't know over half the guys over the last four years," Koepka replied."There's been a fair amount of turnover, so yeah, that's what I took away. It's half the guys I know and then the other half I don't, so it's going to be a fun year just getting to know everybody and I'm excited."
This week, Koepka returns to the TPC Scottsdale Stadium course for the most successful Phoenix Open of his career.In 2015, it was the scene of his first PGA Tour victory.He won the title in 2021.
"Yeah, it's going to be good. I'm enjoying next week. I love the chaos," Koepka remarked.“I think it’s fun.
"It's been, what, four years since I've been back, so I'm excited to get back out there and go to a place that I know, that's comfortable and a place that I love."
This comes after Phil Mickelson released a statement after withdrawing from LIV Golf events.
