First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh still aiming high, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil confirmed it as a friendly agreement. Koepka, a fiercely competitive athlete who thrives on high-level competition, showed limited motivation in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. His decision to forgo the last contract year raises questions about potential buyouts or repayments. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations about Koepka’s next moves abound: will he join the DP World Tour, possibly facing penalties, or return to the PGA Tour, where he serves a one-year suspension after his last LIV event? Former commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans were softened, benefiting returning LIV players and the PGA Tour. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship wrapping up the 2026 season. Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 under the new PGA Tour schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields—an ideal comeback moment. PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors would welcome this high-profile addition.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll likely play at least the minimum, the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or receives invitations for elite events, he’ll play those.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold say on suspensions and might lift it for the five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to permit Koepka’s immediate play.
Update: It’s official: Koepka is immediately eligible and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open in Arizona.
This was enabled by the recently created \”Returning Member Program\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, acknowledging Koepka’s athletic merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners in the last three years. The deadline is February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp called it a \”one-time, clearly defined opportunity\” without precedent, cautioning no guarantee of future availability. This challenges other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, stirring unease in LIV Golf League.
As part of Koepka’s sanction, he must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity funds and is excluded from the FedEx Cup bonus system in 2026 and