First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine news roundup.
Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. Koepka, known as a competitor fired up by high-level challenges, was less motivated during his LIV tenure. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, so his skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions linger about possible buyouts and his ongoing ownership role of LIV’s Smash GC team, now led by Talor Gooch.
Speculation swirls about which fairways Koepka will appear on next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he is serving a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, a sanction softened from an original lifetime ban by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? The key question seems partially answered as ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
The suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited, elite fields—the perfect timing for his comeback. Investors backing PGA Tour Enterprises, likely to support the new premier league, would welcome such a high-profile name. Jon Rahm recently stated on the Subpar podcast, \”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” adding Koepka would probably play at least the minimum and the big tournaments he enjoys. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods hold influence on suspension decisions, with Rory McIlroy reportedly recommending Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened: On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately reinstated on the PGA Tour and will 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 new \”Returning Member Program\” established last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without serving suspensions. Koepka’s sporting merits, including his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were decisive.
The PGA Tour’s statement says the special rule applies to major and Players champions of the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a unique opportunity and not a precedent for