First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 season of the LIV Golf League, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. But who believes that fully? Koepka is a competitor who gets highly motivated and fired up only by competitive challenges at the highest level. That was somewhat limited during his time at LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly because he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted to secure a healthy retirement income. So waiving his final contract year is not surprising, although questions remain. Did he have to buy out the contract or repay part of the guaranteed money? Is he still the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will soon appear on. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play, possibly against a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened the lifetime bans significantly? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the already dominant PGA Tour? This crucial question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally submitted an application last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to be reinstated as a tour player.
A potential suspension would expire in August. Although the 2026 season also ends with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30, Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour implements its new schedule compressed into about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited and top-tier fields. The perfect timing for a comeback, fitting Koepka’s style. The investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the organizers of the new top league, would certainly appreciate another strong name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” recently said Jon Rahm in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he can qualify or participate in high-profile events, he would play those too.\” And who knows, maybe the PGA Tour will go easy on the five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach — the suspension policy involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, and it follows Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately. A majority of fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
Update: