First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh aims for a comeback; Charley Hull to launch on YouTube 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This is according to the official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive type who thrives in high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. In 2022, he switched largely due to injury concerns, seeking a solid retirement fund. So his skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or guarantees refunded. He remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation continues about where Koepka will next play. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty. On the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, but lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. Why hold grudges when each LIV returnee bolsters the rival tour? The key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership post-2022.
Update: \”And perhaps they’ll turn a blind eye for a five-time major winner\” – exactly what happened. News spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on 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 also confirmed. This was made possible by a newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension.
Koepka’s PGA Tour Membership Renewed Without Suspension
His suspension would have ended in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. However, with the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields starting in 2027, the timing is perfect for Koepka’s return. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, expected to operate this top league, will welcome another marquee player.
Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism on the \”Subpar\” podcast, stating Koepka might need some time but he believes he will return to the PGA Tour and play selectively, focusing on major tournaments he prefers. The player board and Tiger Woods-led competitions committee, which have influence over suspensions, likely favor his reinstatement, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play. A poll by \”Bunkered\” shows fan support for this move.
Other Golf News: DeChambeau, Singh, TGL & More
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League season with his Crushers team unchanged. Vijay Singh, the 62-year-old three-time major winner from Fiji, is returning to the PGA Tour using a career money exemption and will play soon at the