First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type motivated by top-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns near the end of his career and to secure solid retirement earnings, his skipping the final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyouts or salary repayments. It’s also unclear if the 35-year-old remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation grows on which fairways Koepka will next appear. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights—possibly with penalties? The PGA Tour imposes a one-year suspension for LIV players, relaxed from the previous lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vengeful when high-profile LIV returnees benefit the already dominant PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after his 2022 non-renewal.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season after the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a new schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million events featuring limited elite fields—perfect timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome the return of such a marquee name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably at least play the minimum, the big events he likes. If he can qualify or get into these high-profile tournaments, he will play them too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee may overlook his suspension, especially following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka have immediate access.
Update: It happened exactly like this. Monday evening local time saw a viral announcement that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed starts at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by a new policy called the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour statement explains this special rule applies to major and Players winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. \”This is a unique, clearly defined opportunity and is not a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. \”Once this door closes, no guarantee this path will