First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, and Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a strong financial retirement package. His decision to forgo the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or repayments. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation grew around where Koepka would next compete — the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible (possibly with a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance. Lifetime bans issued by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been substantially eased. Why be vindictive when a prominent LIV returnee is advantageous for the Tour, which holds the upper hand? This key question seems partly answered as ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka submitted a formal application last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship finishing August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, ideally timed with PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, elite player fields—perfect for his comeback. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely managing the new top league, would welcome a strong name like Koepka.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm in a recent \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets into top events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will grant leniency to a five-time major winner; alongside the board, player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods influence suspension decisions. Rory McIlroy recommended Koepka’s immediate return, and a majority of fans appear to agree according to a non-representative \”Bunkered\” poll.
Update: The speculation proved true: Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, confirmed by news spreading rapidly. He will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines and also participate in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. This is enabled by the newly introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players reinstatement without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in LIV Golf 2026. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lah