First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7th in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. The decision was reportedly amicable, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns threatening his career, seeking a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping his last contract season is not surprising, though some questions remain about financial settlements and his ownership status of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is lively about where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible—possibly with a penalty—or back on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced. There is little incentive for bitterness, as every prominent LIV returnee benefits the stronger Tour. This question appears partially answered: according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player ranks.
See this post on Instagram
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour plans to introduce a condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring best-field limited events—a perfect comeback scenario fitting Koepka’s preferences. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would surely welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies for or gets invites to top events, he’d play those too.\” Furthermore, the player board, competition committee led by Tiger Woods, and majority fan opinion—according to a non-representative survey by Bunkered magazine—likely favor allowing Koepka to play again, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: It has happened as anticipated: 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, Arizona, is also confirmed. This became possible through the surprisingly introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA membership without suspension.