First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to play again, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain linked to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was a friendly agreement. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives in top-level contests, had limited motivation in LIV. He switched in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. His skipping the final contractual season raises questions: did he buy out of his contract or repay guaranteed money? He still owns the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation abounds where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he could be eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty? Or back on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when any returning LIV player strengthens the longer-established PGA Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ roster.
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His potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. That timing aligns well for Koepka’s preferred reentry into the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with elite limited fields, beginning in 2027. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would undoubtedly welcome a star of Koepka’s stature.
Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast \”Subpar,\” \”He might need some time but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’d probably play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets invited to top events, he would play those too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour could show leniency due to Koepka’s five majors, with voting rights shared between the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, which reportedly follows Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka. Public opinion appears favorable, as a non-representative “Bunkered” poll indicates.
Update: The speculation was confirmed when news spread 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. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed. This is enabled by a new \”Returning Member Program\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension.
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