First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel. The Back Nine brings top golf news.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. The LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was agreed upon amicably. Koepka is known as a fierce competitor who gets motivated by high-level competition, something that was somewhat lacking during his time with LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. His choice not to play the final contract year, although raising questions such as possible buyout or salary repayment, is not surprising. Questions remain about whether he still owns the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound about where Koepka will play next: DP World Tour, where he’d be eligible to play immediately possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after significant softening of former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans. This key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player ranks after not renewing post-2022.
Update: \”And perhaps they will overlook the suspension for a five-time major winner\” – this has come true. News spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will start at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. This is enabled by a newly introduced \”Returning Member Program\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
The suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season end at the Tour Championship August 27–30. Koepka would thus be eligible for the 2027 season when the PGA Tour launches a new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields. This timing suits Koepka’s preferences and would also please investors backing the PGA Tour Enterprises’ new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for high-profile tournaments, he will play those too.\” Furthermore, Rory McIlroy and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee apparently support waiving Koepka’s suspension, echoing fan sentiment found in a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League season with his Crushers team featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri entering their fifth season unchanged.