First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh back on tour; Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Unsurprisingly, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, something he found limited in LIV. Koepka switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, his decision not to play the last contracted season is unsurprising, although questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed fee? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation grows on where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were softened. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player benefits the stronger established Tour? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he did not renew after 2022, aiming to return to the players’ circle.
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Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top fields—a perfect comeback for Koepka’s competitive nature. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome a star of his caliber in the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play the minimum at least, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets invites to top events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour may be lenient with a five-time major winner, considering input from the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee—also following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate return. A majority of fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative survey by \”Bunkered.\”
Update: The expected PGA Tour leniency for the five-time major winner has arrived. It 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. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at T