First start at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. The LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was a friendly agreement. Koepka is known as a highly competitive athlete who thrives on top-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. His 2022 move to LIV was mainly due to injury concerns and securing a retirement fund. Questions remain whether he paid a buyout or a portion of the guaranteed salary back, and if he remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete—DP World Tour, where he would qualify immediately (likely with a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension applies after his last LIV appearance. The harsh lifetime bans from former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been softened. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, star-studded fields—an ideal comeback timing. The investors of PGA Tour Enterprises, likely overseeing the new top league, would welcome Koepka’s return.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He will probably at least play the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies for or gets invites to top events, he will play those too.\” The waiver authority includes the Board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who supports Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka.
Update: As it happened, on Monday evening the news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This was enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” established last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were recognized, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour statement says the special rule applies for major winners and Players champions of the past three years, ending February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent,\” stated CEO Brian Rolapp. This development likely unsettles Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and creates tension within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for LIV def