First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull heads to 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As expected: Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in top-level contests, something he lacked at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. It’s thus not surprising he’s skipping his last contract year, though questions remain about possible buyouts or refunding guaranteed money. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows on where Koepka will play next: DP World Tour, where he’d be immediately eligible (possibly with a penalty), or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance—recently softened from lifetime bans. Returning LIV players, especially a high-profile one like Koepka, benefit the PGA Tour. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after not renewing post-2022.
An anticipated suspension would expire in August, ending alongside the 2026 PGA Tour season with the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible in 2027 under the new PGA Tour schedule with about two dozen $20 million tournaments and limited elite fields—ideal timing. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome another big name.
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 probably play the minimum I guess, and why not play the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies for high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour and player directors, including Tiger Woods’ competition committee, have influence on suspensions and reportedly support Koepka’s immediate return per Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: It happened exactly as predicted. Monday evening local time, news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
The \”Returning Member Program,\” introduced last Thursday, allows selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s competitive merits, particularly his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key factors. According to the PGA Tour statement, this special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years, with the deadline on February 2. Brian Rolapp, PGA Tour CEO, called it a unique, clearly defined opportunity, not setting a precedent. This is likely to concern Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and unsettle the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonus,