First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for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 amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitive type who thrives in high-level competition and gets fired up, which was somewhat limited during his time in LIV. He switched in 2022 primarily because he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or guaranteed paybacks. He still owns his LIV team, Smash GC, which already named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds on where Koepka will compete next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, potentially with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following a reduction of previously lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? There’s little reason for vindictiveness since every returning LIV player benefits the established Tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the playing ranks.
An eventual suspension would lapse in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. He would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s condensed 20-tournament schedule with premium limited fields — a perfect comeback timing suiting Koepka. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely backing the new top league, would welcome another major name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, ‘He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets invites to high-profile events, he’ll play those.’ The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, influenced by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka, likely will be lenient. A fan survey by \”Bunkered\” shows majority support for his comeback.
Update: \”And maybe an eye will be turned for a five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\” — which has happened. It spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is already confirmed. This became possible thanks to a newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026