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Fred Couples: Brooks Koepka 'wants to come back' to PGA Tour
Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

Fred Couples said LIV Golf's Brooks Koepka is anxious to return to the PGA Tour.

"I talk to Brooks Koepka all the time," Couples said Monday on Seattle's KJR 93.3 FM. "I love Brooks Koepka, and I'm not going to say anything extra except I talk to him all the time.

"... He wants to come back. I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the Tour."

Koepka, 34, has captured five major titles, including back-to-back U.S. Open victories in 2017 and 2018 and three PGA Championships (2018, 2019, 2023). He bolted the PGA Tour for LIV's inaugural season in 2022 for a contract worth more than $100 million through 2025.

Couples, 65, has not been shy about sharing his thoughts on the upstart circuit. The 1992 Masters champion notably took issue in December 2023 when discussing Jon Rahm's decision to join LIV Golf, saying, "$100 million doesn't get it, $200 million doesn't get it, $300 million doesn't get it, but for $400 million it's a great product, and it's a great show? My (expletive), okay. Tell me the next guy, whether it's Tony Finau, ‘I'm going for free, boys. I love this Tour. I don't like the PGA Tour anymore.' No one's gonna do that."

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

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Joaquin Niemann running away from field in UK
Golf

Joaquin Niemann running away from field in UK

Joaquin Niemann of Chile has opened up a six-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round at LIV Golf United Kingdom. The Torque GC captain moved to 14-under par with an 8-under 65 on Saturday at the JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, England. He racked up nine birdies with a lone bogey at the par-4 15th hole. Bubba Watson is in solo second at 8-under after a second-round 68. England's Paul Casey (68), Caleb Surratt (68) and Poland's Adrian Meronk (70) are tied for third at 7-under. Niemann, already a four-time winner on the LIV Golf tour this season, is looking to add his to his titles at Adelaide, Singapore, Mexico City and Virginia. "I had a great time. I made a lot of putts," Niemann said. "I was laughing at it sometimes because I'm not used to seeing so many of those going in, and it's kind of cool to see that. "Other than that, I hit some good shots. Everything felt pretty much under control, off the tee, irons, putting. Yeah, just pretty happy the way I've been going through the last two days." Niemann had five birdies on the front nine, including three in a row at Nos. 1-3. "I think it's a great course for my eyes," said Niemann, who was T2 here last year. "I feel like there's a lot of blind shots. There's a lot of left-to-right shots, left-to-right, right-to-left. You've got to move it around. You've got to use different types of shots off the tee, as well. I feel pretty confident on this course. Hopefully I can improve one position from last year, and I'll be pretty happy." Niemann's Torque GC is also in front for the team championship at 24-under, three shots ahead of Legion XIII as it seeks its first team title since 2023. "We know we can do it. We've been close for a few chances," Niemann said. "... I think it's going to be an exciting day for all of us tomorrow and hopefully see low scores from the four of us." Watson knows it will take a hot round and perhaps poor weather to keep Niemann off the top of the podium. "He's playing so good, you don't expect him to do anything, like come backwards," Watson said. "Wind direction -- I haven't looked at the weather. That can change a golf course or how we play it, pin setups. "But we're going to give it our all and then hopefully that's good enough, have a round like he's having (Saturday). He shoots like even or 1-under, whatever it is -- but we're just going to go out there and do the same thing and hopefully that's good enough or have a really high finish." Five golfers are tied for sixth at 6-under, including Niemann's Torque GC teammate Carlos Ortiz of Mexico.

Royals acquire outfield help in perplexing trade with Diamondbacks
MLB

Royals acquire outfield help in perplexing trade with Diamondbacks

The Kansas City Royals were hoping to bolster their outfield ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. They were able to do just that in a trade on Saturday. Steve Gilbert from MLB.com reported that the Royals have acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mark Feinsand from MLB.com reported that relief pitcher Andrew Hoffman will head to Arizona in exchange for Grichuk. The Royals desperately needed help in their outfield. Royals outfielders had been the worst in the majors, posting an atrocious .219/.273/.328 batting line with just 19 home runs entering Saturday's action. Although Grichuk is in the midst of a disappointing season himself, he is an immediate upgrade over whatever the Royals have sent into the outfield. Grichuk had posted a .243/.280/.462 batting line in 186 plate appearances entering Saturday, hitting seven homers and 15 doubles. In exchange, the Diamondbacks receive Hoffman, who FanGraphs ranked as the Royals' 22nd-best prospect entering the season. His upper-90s fastball and new kick change are both considered plus offerings, although his ability to command his arsenal is questionable at best. Hoffman's potential and flaws were evident this season. He made his major league debut for the Royals, allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings, striking out five. However, Hoffman had dominated at Triple-A, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP over his 40 innings, striking out 55 batters with just 10 walks. He is another intriguing addition for a Diamondbacks team that has prioritized pitching in their two trades thus far. The same upside does not exist for the Royals. Kansas City had the same record as the Diamondbacks entering the second game of their doubleheader against the Guardians. Grichuk signed a one-year contract with $5 million guaranteed for 2025. There is a mutual option worth $5 million, with a $3 million buyout, for 2026. Theoretically, Grichuk could be part of the Royals' plans next season. However, mutual options are rarely picked up. As the Royals are currently under .500 and need to pass four teams in the standings to seize the final wild-card spot, adding a rental option does not make sense. It is possible that both sides can work out an arrangement for 2026, but unless that happens, the Royals' latest move is questionable at best.

Yankees manager provides major update on Aaron Judge's injury
MLB

Yankees manager provides major update on Aaron Judge's injury

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge missed Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies with an elbow injury, and the slugger is now headed to the injured list. The Yankees fell 9-4 to the Phillies on Saturday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., which marked their third consecutive loss. Judge played in Friday night's 12-5 loss to Philadelphia, but Aaron Boone announced before Saturday's game that Judge was dealing with an "elbow issue" and would sit out. Following his team's latest loss, Boone shared some new information about Judge's injury. Judge has been diagnosed with a flexor strain, but the Yankees believe he can return in less than two weeks. When Judge returns to the lineup, Boone said it will initially be as a designated hitter. Judge is having an outstanding season. He entered Saturday batting .342, which is the best mark in baseball. The reigning American League MVP has 37 home runs, 85 RBI and a 1.160 OPS. The Yankees are now six games behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays and fighting to remain atop the wild-card race. It goes without saying that they are hopeful Judge will be able to return as soon as possible.

Green Bay Packers 3rd Year Receiver Turning Heads At Training Camp
NFL

Green Bay Packers 3rd Year Receiver Turning Heads At Training Camp

The Green Bay Packers have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. A big reason for this is their wide receiver room. For the past three seasons, they have relied on rookies and second-year players to carry the load on offense from a pass-catching perspective. However, that has led to some inconsistent play. Last year, drops were a huge issue, especially for former fifth-round pick Dontayvion Wicks. He was able to get open but would drop the ball in key moments. Wicks is determined to change the narrative and is already turning heads in training camp. Green Bay Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks Looking Good Wicks was the star of the 2-minute drill during Friday’s training camp practice. He found a hole in the zone and ran the post route. Quarterback Jordan Love saw him immediately and unloaded a long ball. The former Virginia receiver was all alone and caught a 49-yard touchdown pass to end the drill. This was one of the many great plays Wicks made throughout the practice. He was asked about the play after the practice. “I knew I had the post,” Wicks said. “I had a man on me. I released, ran full speed. I knew X was over the top. So I stemmed out a little bit and broke flat across. It was a runaway, and J-Love gave me the ball and I ran under it, and that was all from there.” This is great news for the Green Bay Packers. Drops can often be attributed to a lack of confidence. They can snowball. Once a player drops one pass, it can snowball into more drops. The same can be said about catches. Once a player gets confidence, it can be hard to stop. If Dontayvion Wicks has gotten his confidence, the league should watch out. No Problems Getting Open Wicks had no problems getting open last year. According to ESPN Analytics, he was open on 84% of his routes, thanks to a quick burst off the snap and his ability to find gaps in the zone. However, getting open doesn’t matter if a player can’t bring in the ball. The Green Bay Packers hope this is the start of a new player in 2025. Matthew Golden has also looked good in training camp, and Jayden Reed has vowed to drop fewer passes as well in 2025. If that trio can haul in passes, this offense could be one of the best in the league. Final Thoughts We always have to be cautious about training camp news. It can sometimes point to what will happen in the season, but not always. However, this seems like a step in the right direction for the Green Bay Packers. If Wicks gains confidence now, that should carry over into the season.

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