First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a fierce competitor, was less motivated at LIV events. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Questions arise if he bought out his last contractual season or repaid part of his guaranteed salary. Koepka remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next—whether on the DP World Tour, where he’d likely gain immediate eligibility perhaps by paying a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year ban after his last LIV appearance. However, this ban has been significantly softened from lifetime restrictions initially imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership which was not renewed after 2022.
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The suspension was set to expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale, the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule focusing on about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields — an ideal timing for a comeback. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome a star of Koepka’s stature.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll come back to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big events he likes? If he qualifies or gets invited, he would play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will grant leniency to a five-time major champion. The decision involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to return. Majority of fans seem to agree according to a non-representative survey by the magazine Bunkered.
Update: The rumor was true: Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This became possible through a newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing selected LIV players to rejoin PGA Tour membership without suspension.
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