First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something LIV offered only partially. He switched in 2022 mainly for financial security due to injury concerns ending his career. Questions remain whether he had to buy out his contract or refund part of his guaranteed money. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound on where Koepka will compete next: DP World Tour, which would allow immediate eligibility likely with penalties, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV participation, though lifetime bans have been softened. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, from which he had been inactive since 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship, leaving Koepka eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with elite fields, perfect timing for his comeback. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome such a marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently told the podcast \”Subpar\”: \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum and the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for high-profile events, he’d play those too.\” The Tiger Woods-led competition committee, along with player directors, might overlook the suspension for a five-time major champion, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play. A majority of fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative \”Bunkered\” survey.
Update: This indeed happened. News spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by a new \”Returning Member Program\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains unchanged into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, fueling speculation behind the scenes after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh: Back on PGA Tour at 62
Surprise move: Three-time major winner Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62. The Fijian uses an exemption due to his career earnings ranking and will