McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — Brooks Koepka is enjoying the grind in his return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf, and he feels like he has to take advantage of every opportunity.
Koepka is playing in his third consecutive tournament this week at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, an event that most of the game's top players are skipping coming off the PGA Championship.
“Every week is a new fresh start for me,” Koepka said Wednesday, a day before teeing off in a group with hometown favorite Scottie Scheffler, the world's No. 1 player and defending Nelson champion. “Obviously with my penalty I’m not allowed to play every event, and if I get the chance to tee up, I want to play.”
Nearly four years after being one of the biggest names to sign a financially lucrative deal with the Saudi-funded LIV tour — his was for more than $100 million — the five-time major champion is back on the PGA Tour this year with some restrictions. He will not receive FedEx Cup bonus money this season, and he can't play in any of the signature events unless he earns his way in. The Nelson isn't one of those $20 million events.
“I’ve kind of fallen back in love with this,” Koepka said. “I’m enjoying the grind. I’m enjoying battling it out here. Yeah, it’s just a newfound love, a newfound passion for the game, and something that I’m really, really enjoying being back on the road and grinding it out and trying to find it in the dirt.”
The 36-year-old Koepka, now ranked 111th, has made the cut in seven of his 10 tournaments. He returned at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His only top-10 finish was a tie for ninth at the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, but he did tie for 13th at The Players Championship and 12th at the Masters.
This is only the second time this season he plays three weeks in a row. He tied for 55th at the PGA Championship after a closing 4-over 74.
While he has changed putters this week going into the Nelson, Koepka feels good about the state of his game.
“I’m driving the ball fantastic. I feel like I’m in complete control,” he said. “I feel like I’m in complete control of my golf ball. Shape, spin, trajectory, everything seems to be right where I need it to be. It’s just a matter of rolling those putts in.”
AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Brooks Koepka chips to the green on the sixth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament practice round at Aronimink Golf Club, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Newtown Square, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Brooks Koepka walks off the seventh green during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club, Friday, May 15, 2026, in Newtown Square, PA. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
In front of the future king of England, Unai Emery reaffirmed his status as the king of the Europa League.
Aston Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul on Wednesday to secure Emery a record-extending fifth title in this competition.
Celebrating wildly inside the Tupras Stadium was lifelong Villa fan Prince William, who traveled to watch his beloved team end a 30-year wait for a major trophy.
“Amazing night!! Huge congratulations to all the players, team, staff and everyone connected to the club!” the Prince posted on X.
He had his phone out taking photos as captain John McGinn lifted the cup in the center of the field and in front of an explosion of confetti.
“He's a classy guy. He was in the dressing room before the game and he’s a massive Villa fan so he was never going to miss it,” McGinn told TNT Sports.
It was Villa’s first major piece of silverware since winning the English League Cup in 1996 and its first continental title since lifting the European Cup and then the Super Cup in 1982.
Was the outcome ever in doubt with the ultimate Europa League specialist Emery on the sideline?
The Spanish coach has enjoyed remarkable success in Europe's second-tier competition, winning it three years running with Sevilla from 2014-16 and again with Villarreal in 2021.
Now he has led a third team with ‘Villa’ in its name to the title.
“I am always very grateful for Europe, for every competition, Conference League, Champions League, Europa League, but especially Europa League,” Emery said. “We fought strongly in this competition and tried to give it our best. We played in a very serious way this year.”
Two brilliant first-half strikes from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia put Villa into a 2-0 lead at the break. Morgan Rogers added a third in the second half.
German team Freiburg, which was playing in the second division 10 years ago, was outclassed in its first European final.
Villa was in England's second tier even more recently, in 2019. And while it was the overwhelming favorite going into Wednesday's match, occasions like this looked a long way off when Emery was hired in 2022.
Back then, Villa was one place above the relegation zone and in danger of going down again.
The transformation he has overseen has been remarkable — leading the team into the Champions League last season and qualifying for European club soccer's top competition again next term.
“With this manager in charge, anything’s possible,” said McGinn, a Scotland international. “Tonight was just everything we have built, coming together, and the pride I felt at 3-0 with 10 minutes to go, thinking we’re European champions was something I can’t even describe.
“It’s the proudest moment and night of my career so far.”
Tielemans put Villa ahead with a controlled volley from Rogers’ cross in the 41st minute — driving his shot past Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.
Three minutes into first-half stoppage time, Buendia doubled the lead with a curling left-footed shot from outside the box that arched into the top corner.
Rogers’ goal in the 58th came when he slid in at the near post to divert Buendia’s cross over the line.
“We had a great season and to top it off with this is amazing,” Tielemans said.
Victory was further personal redemption for Emery, who was fired by Arsenal in November 2019 despite having led the team to the Europa League final earlier that year, which it lost to Chelsea.
A serial winner, he has now won trophies with clubs from three different countries, having also lifted the French title with Paris Saint-Germain.
James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Britain's Prince William, center, celebrates as he watches the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo)
Aston Villa players celebrate with the trophy after the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Aston Villa players celebrate as they win the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo)
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Britain's Prince William, background, celebrates Aston Villa's third goal during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Freiburg fans cheer for their team during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Britain's Prince William, center, celebrates during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo)
Freiburg's coach Julian Schuster smiles during a press conference ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool)
Aston Villa fans gather in the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa. (AP Photo)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery instructs his players during a training session ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery looks down during a press conference ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool)
Aston Villa fans light flares and chant as they gather in the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa. (AP Photo)
