First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, which he only partially found at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement payout. Thus, skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or refunds. Koepka remains owner of LIV Team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch appointed as captain.
Speculation now surrounds where Koepka will next play. Will it be the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—likely with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance remains in effect, albeit significantly softened from former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans? The key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—the perfect timing for a comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a high-profile name.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka will return, likely playing at least the minimum and the big tournaments he prefers. With influence from the player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, a potential suspension might be overlooked.
Update: Koepka is now officially eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately. He is set to compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
This became possible through the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merit, including his 2023 PGA Championship victory, was considered.
The PGA Tour states this exception applies only to major and Players Championship winners of the last three years, ending February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp calls it a one-time opportunity with no precedent or guarantee for future cases. This development likely worries Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith as well as LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalties for switching to LIV are mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a 5-year ban from PGA Tour Enterprises’ equity participation program.