First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives in high-level competition, and that motivation was limited at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly as he thought his career was ending due to injuries and wanted to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial arrangements and his ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, although lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been substantially softened. Returning LIV players, especially prominent ones like Koepka, benefit the PGA Tour as they regain strong competition. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, by which time the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a new condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields—a perfect timing for his comeback. Investor groups behind the new league would welcome a star of Koepka’s stature.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”I think he’ll probably play at least the minimum and the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets into more top-tier events, he’ll play those too.\” The suspension decision involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who reportedly supports reinstating Koepka, echoing Rory McIlroy’s recommendation. Fans also appear supportive, according to a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered.\”
Update: \”And perhaps they’ll give a five-time major winner a break in Ponte Vedra Beach\” – that has happened. It spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He also confirmed participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. This was made possible by a new \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His team, the Crushers, with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will enter the fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, De