First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was a friendly agreement. Koepka, a competitive type who thrives on top-level competition, had been less motivated in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. His skipping the final contractual season raises questions: Did he buy out, repay part of the guaranteed salary? Does he still own his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation mounts on where Koepka will play next: immediately eligible on the DP World Tour—possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he still faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan lessened lifetime bans? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). He would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top-player fields—ideal timing for Koepka’s return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a star joining the new flagship league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed in 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, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies for high-profile events, he’d likely compete in those too.\” The decision may also factor in the player directors and the competition committee chaired by Tiger Woods, possibly overlooking Koepka’s suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour again and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is confirmed too.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” established last Thursday, permitting selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were notably considered, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour statement notes the special rule applies to major champions and Players Championship winners from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said, \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set precedent for future cases. Once this door closes, no guarantee this route will reopen.\” This will likely concern Jon Rahm, Bryson DeCh