First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, which he found somewhat limited at LIV. Having moved there in 2022 due to injury concerns and a desire for a solid retirement fund, his skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or repayments. Koepka remains the owner of his LIV team, Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will play on next: the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible—likely with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event following a reduction from previous lifetime bans. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his former PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player ranks.
An expected suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season via the Tour Championship (Aug 27–30). Under PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring around two dozen $20-million events with limited elite fields starting in 2027, Koepka would be eligible to compete, an ideal timing for his return. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome the star power of a five-time major winner.
Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism on the ‘Subpar’ podcast: \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll likely play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he enjoys, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites to top tournaments, he would play those too.\” There is speculation that the PGA Tour, influenced by player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, may show leniency on Koepka’s suspension. A majority of fans also appear supportive, as per a non-representative poll by Bunkered magazine.
Update: “And perhaps the five-time major winner will get some leeway in Ponte Vedra Beach” – just so it happened. News 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. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This was made possible by a newly introduced “Returning Member Program” allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will remain intact for the fifth