Brooks Koepka and Amanda Balionis have awkward disagreement after PGA Tour comeback

The Farmers Insurance Open was the scene of Brooks Koepka’s PGA Tour return, but the five-time major winner was at odds with Amanda Balionis over his performance

Brooks Koepka and CBS golf reporter Amanda Balionis had an awkward disagreement over his PGA Tour comeback at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Koepka, 35, a five-time major winner, sealed a sensational return to the PGA Tour earlier this month after leaving Saudi-backed breakaway tour, LIV Golf, after three and a half years. Patrick Reed will follow Koepka’s lead back to the PGA Tour, planning to play later in 2026 when he is eligible, and is aiming for full membership next year.

Koepka played his comeback PGA Tour tournament at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in California over the weekend. After an opening 73, Koepka rebounded with a 4-under 68 to make the cut, sitting at 3-under through two rounds and earning a place on the weekend. Over the final two rounds, he carded a 73 and a 2-under 70, finishing tied for 56th at 4-under par overall at Torrey Pines. It comes after Balionis hard-launched her relationship with a gushing post over her new boyfriend.

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Koepka’s putting wasn’t up to par in the earlier rounds, but he made significant improvement in the final round, as noted by CBS’s Balionis in his post-tournament interview.

The American spent hours the night before the final round practicing his putting, which yielded a “huge improvement,” according to Balionis.

However, Koepka disagreed. He claimed he “wasn’t great” and “overdid it” at times during the final round and is looking forward to the Phoenix Open this week at the Stadium Course.

“I mean, it wasn’t great today, I think I kind of overdid it, but a little bit, a few more hours of practice, it’ll be nice,” Koepka said. “Next week the greens are pretty good, so get out there Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and grind on that.”

Balionis pushed back, highlighting he essentially broke even during the final round as opposed to scoring five-and-a-half strokes in putting on Saturday.

“You were losing almost five and a half strokes on the field yesterday in strokes game putting. You pretty much broke even today, so there was certainly an improvement,” Balionis said.

“I was talking to your caddie, Ricky, earlier in the week, and he said it’s funny when you walk out to Torrey Pines, it feels like almost nothing’s changed, and then you realize so many things have changed.

“The players have gotten younger, scores are lower. When you walk away this week, what are going to be the things to you that feel like coming home, and what are the things that have felt like the biggest change?”

“Yeah, obviously the biggest change is I feel like I probably don’t know about half the guys in the last four years,” Koepka responded. “There’s been a good bit of turnover, so yeah, that’s the one thing I’ve taken away. There’s half the guys I do know and then the other half I don’t, so it’ll be a fun year just getting to know everybody, and I’m excited.”

This week, Koepka will return to the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course for the Phoenix Open, where he has had considerable success in his career. In 2015, it was the scene of his first PGA Tour victory. In 2021, he captured the title again.

“Yeah, it’ll be good. I enjoy 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 to a place I’m familiar with, comfortable with, and a place I love.”

It comes after Phil Mickelson issued a statement after pulling out of LIV Golf events.