Justin Rose: PGA Tour success vindicates rejecting LIV Golf

“I’ve been sniffing and knocking on the door for a couple of majors since those decisions have been made, and those moments did validate that decision.

“It’s good to see people wanting to play where it motivates them to be their best.”

Rose finished 23 under at last week’s Farmers Insurance Open, beating the tournament’s previous best winning score of 22 under by Tiger Woods in 1999 and George Burns in 1987.

Rose also became the oldest player to secure a wire-to-wire finish on tour – leading in all four rounds – since Rocco Mediate in October 2010 aged 47.

“I want to play in and among the best players in the world; that’s what keeps me motivated, keeps me hungry, keeps me pushing,” Rose continued.

“It would have been easy to potentially do other things but none of that excited me and none of that gave me access to what I wanted to achieve.

“I always felt my childhood self wouldn’t feel very good about making that decision and giving up on those dreams.”

Last month, Patrick Reed announced he was leaving LIV Golf to make a return to the PGA Tour, following American compatriot Brooks Koepka in departing the series.

Five-time major champion Koepka, 35, made his comeback at Torrey Pines under a new returning member programme.

The also opened the door to the return of other major winners Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith but all three pledged their commitment to LIV before the 2 February cut-off date to apply to get on the programme.

Koepka agreed to make a $5m (£3.7m) charitable donation as part of his return, while 35-year-old Reed, who is planning to play on the DP World Tour this year, is eligible to begin competing on the PGA Tour in August, 2026 with a view to reinstating his membership for the 2027 season.