First start already at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable agreement was stated officially by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known for his competitive spirit at the highest level, which he found somewhat lacking at LIV. Having switched in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, his decision not to play the final contractual season raises questions. Did he have to buy out or refund part of his guaranteed fee? Does he remain owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
The speculation now focuses on where Koepka will compete next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate play, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans. This question seems partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player ranks.
See this post on InstagramBrooks Koepka applies for PGA Tour membership. (Photo: Getty)
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20M events with limited fields is introduced — the perfect timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors surely welcome a star like Koepka.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum and why not the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or can enter those high-profile events, he’ll play them.\” Moreover, the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee reportedly support letting Koepka play again, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation. Fans largely agree, according to a non-representative poll by ‘Bunkered’ magazine.
Update: \”And maybe they’ll cut some slack for the five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\” — and 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 Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
<