First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to return, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he seldom experienced with LIV. He initially joined in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Hence, skipping the last contracted season is unsurprising, although questions remain about financial arrangements and his ongoing ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will next compete. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension is pending since his last LIV event, though life bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have since been softened. Why be vindictive when welcoming prominent LIV returnees benefits the dominant Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported last Friday that Koepka formally applied to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after 2022’s lapse to rejoin the players’ circle.
Any potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with exclusive fields. The timing suits Koepka perfectly, and PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another headline name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will likely play at least the minimum and probably the events he favors, the big ones. If he qualifies for or gets invitations to top tournaments, he’d play those too.\” The PGA Tour, including the player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, holds say over suspensions, reportedly favoring Koepka’s immediate return as recommended by Rory McIlroy.
Update: That has happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is