First start is at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, and Charley Hull heads to YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner stays connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to a friendly agreement, stated LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a fierce competitor who thrives on high-level competition, struggled to find top motivation at LIV. He switched to the Saudi-backed circuit in 2022 amid injury concerns about his career’s end and to secure a lucrative retirement fund. So his skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or payback of guaranteed money. The 35-year-old remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds on which tours Koepka will play next. He is eligible immediately for the DP World Tour, potentially with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after lifetime bans under former commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why be vindictive when returning LIV stars, especially prominent ones, benefit the longer-armed PGA Tour? This key question partly answers itself. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership not renewed after 2022.
An eventual ban would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season after the Tour Championship Aug 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the new PGA Tour schedule featuring around two dozen $20M events with smaller, select fields — a perfect timing for his comeback, fitting his style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely running this elite league, would welcome a star of Koepka’s caliber.
\”He may need time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies for or gets invites to top events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will cut some slack for a five-time major winner. Besides the board, player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee influence suspensions. Rory McIlroy recommended reinstating Koepka immediately, with fan polls by \”Bunkered\” magazine showing majority support.
Update: \”And maybe a five-time major winner gets a break in Ponte Vedra Beach\” — exactly what happened. News spread swiftly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour, teeing off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. This was made possible by the new \”Returning Member Program\” allowing select LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he’ll compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban