First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to try again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Those who believe it… Koepka thrives on top-level competition and is highly motivated when competing intensely, which was limited in LIV. In 2022, he mainly joined LIV due to injury concerns ending his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain: Did he have to pay out or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation abounds as to which tour Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would immediately allow him to play—possibly with a fine? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened the lifetime bans. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a star, benefits the longer-established tour? This key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the playing field after not renewing since 2022.
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Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a new schedule with about two dozen $20 million tournaments and limited fields featuring top players—a perfect reentry timing suited to Koepka. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely behind the new top league, would welcome another marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies for high-profile events, he would play those too.\” Also, the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee may overlook his suspension—Rory McIlroy has advocated for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened just as speculated. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, starting at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the
Koepka Rulea new \”Returning Member Program\” established last Thursday, allowing