First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, and Charley Hull is heading to YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which was limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. The decision to forgo the final contract year raises questions: Did he buy out? Repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does he remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now led by Talor Gooch?
Speculation grows about where Koepka will compete next—DP World Tour, where he’d be eligible immediately, possibly paying a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following a softened lifetime ban initially imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee strengthens the PGA Tour? This may be partly answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ circle.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, as the PGA Tour rolls out a new schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, top fields—the perfect comeback timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star name.
\”He may need time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum and the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or is invited to high-profile events, I expect him to compete.\” The players’ board and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, along with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately, influence suspension decisions. A majority of fans apparently agree, per Bunkered magazine’s informal poll.
Update: \”And maybe they’ll overlook a five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\”—exactly what happened. News spread that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is confirmed. This is enabled by the new \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to reinstate PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League with his Crushers team—Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and An