First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level challenges, which LIV offered less. In 2022, he primarily joined LIV due to injury concerns about his career ending and to secure a solid retirement fund. So his skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayment of guaranteed money. He still owns the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations arise on which tour Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, likely with immediate eligibility possibly against a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where a one-year ban from his last LIV event remains, though previous lifetime bans were significantly reduced. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the longer-established PGA Tour? This question seems partly answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which expired after 2022, aiming for player status again.
The potential ban would expire in August. Although the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour’s new schedule with about two dozen $20 million events with limited top player fields begins—a perfect timing for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star name. Jon Rahm expressed confidence in Koepka’s PGA Tour return on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, expecting him to play at least the minimum and the big tournaments he prefers. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence on the ban decision, with Rory McIlroy recommending Koepka’s immediate return—a view shared by many fans according to a non-representative ‘Bunkered’ survey.
Update: The speculation is confirmed: Koepka is immediately PGA Tour eligible and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed. This is enabled by a new ‘Returning Member Program’ policy allowing select LIV players membership restoration without ban.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains unchanged entering their fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a blanket contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain this marquee LIV player after Koepka’s departure.