First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for a comeback, Charley Hull to launch a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level tournaments, something the LIV experience gave him only partially. Notably, he joined LIV in 2022 mainly because he feared his career was ending due to injuries and sought a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted playing season is not surprising, though questions linger about potential payout returns and his continuing ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about which fairways Koepka will next appear on: the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately—possibly paying a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he has a one-year suspension since his last LIV start, following a considerable reduction of lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a headline name, benefits the PGA Tour with greater leverage? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally submitted an application last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.
Update: \”And perhaps an exception will be made for a five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\”—exactly that happened. News spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
The newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allows selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
Koepka’s PGA Tour Membership Renewed Without Suspension
Koepka’s potential suspension would have expired in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. However, under the PGA Tour’s upcoming schedule featuring about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited elite fields starting in 2027, Koepka would be eligible to return—a perfect timing suiting his competitive taste. Investors backing PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s host, would certainly welcome another strong name.
Jon Rahm recently told the ‘Subpar’ podcast: \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or gets into high-profile events, he would play those too.\” Those with a say on suspension—board members, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee—seem inclined to accept Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s return. A majority of fans likely agree,