First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. The official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil describes this as a friendly agreement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 largely due to injury concerns about ending his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Considering this, his refusal to play the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or refund part of his guaranteed salary. Koepka also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch appointed as the new captain.
Speculation now focuses on which tours Koepka will appear in next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension has been in place since his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Given that the PGA Tour benefits from LIV players returning, the question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which ended after 2022, to rejoin the players’ circle.
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Any potential suspension would expire in August, concluding with the 2026 Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with exclusive fields, presenting a perfect opportunity for his return, fitting his competitive nature. This would also appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely the backers of the new top league, who value a star name like Koepka.
\”He may need time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, the big events he likes. If he qualifies for or gets invites to top tournaments, he’d play those.\” Furthermore, the player council and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold input on suspensions, and following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, Koepka could be cleared to play immediately. Polls suggest a majority of fans support this decision.
Update: \”And maybe they will turn a blind eye for a five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\” — which has come true. News spread quickly that Koepka is now immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with entry to the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale also confirmed. This was made possible by the newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program,’ allowing selected LIV