First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back to compete, Charley Hull to launch her own YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated it was an amicable agreement. However, Koepka, known for being highly motivated in top-level competition, never fully thrived at LIV. He joined in 2022 mainly due to injury struggles, seeking a reliable retirement income. Given this, his skipping the final contract year is unsurprising, although questions remain about whether he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed pay. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation grows about which tours Koepka will soon appear on. The DP World Tour could grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty. The PGA Tour’s one-year suspension since his last LIV event (originally a lifetime ban softened significantly) remains a factor. It makes sense for the PGA Tour to welcome high-profile LIV returnees, as they strengthen their competitive leverage. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, and to rejoin the player ranks.
Update: \”And perhaps the five-time major champion will get a lenient treatment in Ponte Vedra Beach\” – just so it happened. News spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, starting at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed. This is enabled by a newly introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” letting selected LIV players rejoin the PGA Tour membership without suspension.
Koepka’s PGA Tour Membership Renewed Without Suspension
Koepka’s suspension would have expired in August, right as the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Under the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million events with exclusive fields starting 2027, Koepka’s return timing is ideal and suits his competitive style. This also appeals to PGA Tour Enterprises investors likely backing the new top league, who would welcome his star power.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play the minimum required events and focus on his favorite big tournaments. If he qualifies or gets invited to major events, he would compete there too.\” The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence over suspensions, and Rory McIlroy has recommended allowing Koepka to play again immediately. A majority of fans also favor this, according to an informal poll by Bunkered magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his