First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull soon on 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 remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known for his competitive nature at the highest level, found limited motivation playing on LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, his decision not to play the final contract year is unsurprising though questions remain about financial terms and ownership status of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds which tour Koepka will join next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly facing a penalty; or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event due to previous lifetime bans softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Conveniently, the PGA Tour benefits from the return of prominent LIV players. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after it was not renewed post-2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season under a revamped PGA Tour schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, high-profile fields—a perfect comeback scenario favored by Koepka and PGA Tour Enterprises investors desiring marquee names.
Jon Rahm recently speculated on the 'Subpar' podcast, "He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, including the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or enters marquee events, he’ll play those too." The PGA Tour’s player board and Tiger Woods-led competition committee may allow leniency on his suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It has happened: Koepka is immediately eligible for PGA Tour play and is confirmed for the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. This is enabled by the newly introduced \”Returning Member Program\” permitting selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension based on their recent major and Players Championship victories, particularly Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win.
The PGA Tour statement clarifies this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity ending February 2 and not setting a precedent. CEO Brian Rolapp notes no guarantee of future availability through this route. This likely impacts others like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, causing concern in the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalties for LIV participation include a $5 million charity donation, a 2026 FedEx Cup bonus exclusion, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour capital investment program tied to PGA Tour Enterprises.