First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for another run, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season that begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was the official statement by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who is motivated and fired up when playing at the highest level, which he felt less so on LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns that threatened to end his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Therefore, his skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary. He still owns the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. On the DP World Tour, where he would immediate eligibility—possibly against a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans significantly? It makes little sense to be vindictive when any LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, strengthens the already dominant PGA Tour. This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally filed last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, to rejoin the players’ circle.
A possible suspension would end in August, coinciding with the finish of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its new schedule, concentrated on nearly two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited, top-ranked fields—the perfect timing for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely owners of this new top league, would welcome such a strong name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” recently said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the majors. If he qualifies or is admitted to top events, he’ll play those too.\” There is even a chance the restriction might be eased for a five-time major champion in Ponte Vedra Beach. The PGA’s board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods will decide, with Rory McIlroy recommending Koepka be allowed to play immediately. A majority of fans apparently agree, according to a non-representative survey by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
Update: \”And perhaps they’ll look the other way for a five-time major winner\” – just so it happened. News spread rapidly that Koepka is reinstated for PGA Tour play effective immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed. This became possible due to a newly introduced ‘Returning Member