First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7th in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This friendly agreement was officially announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor motivated by high-level challenges, something he only conditionally found in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly because an injury made him fear the end of his career and to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out his contract or repay a part of the guaranteed payment? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Much speculation exists about where Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—probably against a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, after the original lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, benefits the long-dominant Tour? This key question now seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season with the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule compressed to about two dozen $20 million events with limited, highly ranked fields. The perfect timing for a comeback, fitting Koepka’s taste. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another high-profile name in this 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 at least the minimum, and why not the big events he likes. If he qualifies or can enter high-profile tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will show leniency towards the five-time major champion — alongside the board, the player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have a say in suspensions, and Rory McIlroy has recommended Koepka be allowed to play immediately.
Update: Exactly so. On Monday evening local time, it spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and is set to tee 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 newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” introduced last Thursday, which allows selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. In Koepka’s