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This Week in Golf: Reed in Bahrain, Koepka returns, and what fans should watch
From the Middle East to California, the tours light up this week with Patrick Reed defending his Dubai Desert Classic form, Brooks Koepka’s PGA Tour comeback, and plenty of drama for golf fans to follow
- PUBLISHED: Mon 26 Jan 2026, 7:55 PM
- By:
- Nick Tarratt, Guest Golf Writer
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The DP World Tour keeps the Middle East swing rolling with the $2.75 million BAPCO Energies Bahrain Championship at the Royal Golf Club, Bahrain. Running this week, it’s the third stop on the International Swing before the tour moves on to Qatar, Kenya, and South Africa, making up a total of seven tournaments in the early 2026 schedule.
Leading the field is none other than Patrick Reed, fresh off his dominant HERO Dubai Desert Classic win. He’ll be joined by major champions Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Padraig Harrington (Ireland), along with defending champion Laurie Canter (England) and past winner Dylan Frittelli (South Africa). Golf fans in the region are in for a treat watching these big names in action.
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Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Brooks Koepka makes a high-profile return to the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, California. The five-time major winner’s off-season switch from LIV Golf back to the PGA Tour has been surprisingly smooth, considering the seismic nature of the move.
Koepka, 35, admits his 2025 form wasn’t great, though injuries played a role. Now ranked 254th in the Official World Golf Rankings, the former world number one will be hoping this tour return is the spark he needs to reclaim his best form, and fans everywhere will be watching closely.
The PGA Tour has set a February 2nd deadline for potential returns by Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith, though all have reportedly declined for now.
In the meantime, Reed’s situation adds an intriguing subplot: during the Dubai Desert Classic, he confirmed he hadn’t yet signed with LIV Golf for 2026, leaving fans to wonder if a return might still be on the horizon. For now, he’s focused on the DP World Tour, where he remains a consistent global presence and is climbing the OWGR, currently ranked 29th.
Whether it’s Reed’s continued support of the DP World Tour, Koepka’s return to PGA competition, or the week’s other international tournaments, golf fans have plenty to follow:
Key Tournaments This Week:
PGA Tour
Farmers Insurance Open
Venue: Torrey Pines Golf Course, California, US
Purse: $9.6 million
Dates: Thursday, January 29 – Sunday, February 1
DP World Tour
BAPCO Energies Bahrain Championship
Venue: Royal Golf Club, Bahrain
Purse: $2.75 million
Dates: Thursday, January 29 – Sunday, February 1
Korn Ferry Tour
The Panama Championship
Venue: Club de Golf de Panama, Panama
Purse: $1 million
Dates: Thursday, January 29 – Sunday, February 1
MENA Golf Tour
Egypt Golf Series – Address Marassi Golf Resort
Purse: $100,000
Dates: Thursday, January 29 – Saturday, January 31
From Bahrain to California to Panama and Egypt, it’s a week that promises action, drama, and plenty of storylines for fans to track.
