First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was an amicable agreement, though Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he lacked at LIV. Koepka moved to LIV in 2022 believing his career was near its end due to injury and to secure a solid pension fund, so skipping the final contract season is not surprising. Questions remain whether he had to buy out or refund guaranteed money, and if he remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife over where Koepka will play next—immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly subject to penalties, or aiming to return to the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, which was softened from a lifetime ban. Why be vindictive when the PGA Tour benefits from reintegrating high-profile LIV players? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship concluding the 2026 season, but Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—a perfect comeback timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome adding such a compelling name.
Jon Rahm recently told the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play the minimum and the events he likes, the big ones, and if he qualifies, he’ll play more.\” The suspension decision involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee chaired by Tiger Woods, who, along with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, supports Koepka’s prompt return. This view aligns with a majority fan opinion per a non-representative Bunkered magazine survey.
Update: \”And perhaps they’ll cut some slack for a five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\”—that’s exactly what happened. News spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, starting at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. This was enabled by a new “Returning Member Program” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains unchanged into the fifth season. BDC has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about negotiations behind the scenes to prevent losing LIV’s current star and marketing asset after Koepka’s exit