First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to play again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitive spirit motivated by top-level challenges, was only sporadically galvanized by LIV events. He joined the Saudi-backed tour in 2022 primarily because of injury concerns that threatened his career and to secure a solid pension fund. Thus, forgoing his final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed salary and if he will still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next play: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, presumably with a penalty fee, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension for his last LIV appearance, after lifetime bans from former commissioner Jay Monahan were substantially softened. Why be vindictive when each returning LIV player, especially a star, benefits the PGA Tour, which holds the stronger position? This question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to be reinstated as a player.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship from August 27 to 30, but Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour compresses its schedule into about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier player fields. The perfect timing for a comeback suited to Koepka’s style, and one that would appeal to investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises likely to lead the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently said in the „Subpar“ podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He will probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies for high-profile events or can play in them, he would also do so.\” Maybe the PGA Tour will be lenient with the five-time major winner. Suspension decisions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy has recommended Koepka be allowed to play again immediately.
Update: That’s exactly what happened. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play 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 in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is made possible by the recently introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his sporting merits, especially the 2023 PGA Championship