First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching a 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion stays connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something LIV had limitedly offered. He originally joined LIV in 2022 partly due to injury concerns and to secure financial stability for retirement. The decision to skip his final contractual season is thus not surprising, though questions remain. Did he have to buy out of the contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation about where Koepka will compete next is widespread. He would be eligible to play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he would face a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, though previously imposed lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. It makes little sense to be vindictive when every returning LIV player benefits the stronger PGA Tour. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his 2022 non-renewed PGA Tour membership and be accepted back into the player pool.
Update: As rumored, Koepka has been reinstated with immediate effect and is eligible for the PGA Tour. He will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January and is confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. This was enabled by a newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing handpicked LIV players to rejoin without suspension.
Koepka’s PGA Tour Membership Renewed Without Suspension
The possible suspension would have ended in August. The 2026 season finishes with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30, allowing Koepka to play in 2027 once the PGA Tour implements its new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, highly competitive fields—perfect timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star player.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, ‘He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not in the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies for or is invited to high-profile events, he would play those.’ There is speculation the PGA Tour and its player directors, including the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, might waive strict suspension rules for Koepka following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow him back immediately. Fans also largely support this, as shown in a non-representative poll by ‘Bunkered’ magazine.
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