First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, and Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for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 known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He joined LIV back in 2022 primarily because of injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, his decision to skip the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about any buyout or payback. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations are rife about where Koepka will compete next—on the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, probably with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were significantly eased. Why hold grudges when prominent returnees benefit the established tour? This major question seems partly answered as ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka has formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player after not renewing post-2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, concluding with the 2026 Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when PGA Tour introduces its new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top fields, an ideal time for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum and the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or gets into high-profile events, he will play those too.\” Perhaps a leniency is granted for this five-time major champion by the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Indeed, it happened. Monday evening local time, news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale has also been confirmed.
This was enabled by the recently introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players immediate PGA Tour reinstatement without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his sporting merits were recognized, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major.
The PGA Tour states this waiver applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity, and not a precedent for future cases,\” PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said. This should