First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 plans to stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, something he experienced only limitedly in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a retirement fund, his decision to skip the final contracted season is not surprising. Questions remain about possible buyouts or refunds of guarantees, and whether he remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch its new captain.
Speculation abounds about which tours Koepka will play on next. He could immediately play on the DP World Tour, likely with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, following penalties softened from life bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.
The suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the PGA Tour Championship ending on August 30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen events with $20 million each and limited, star-studded fields — perfect timing for Koepka’s return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would surely welcome such a marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism about Koepka’s return on the podcast \”Subpar\”: \”He might need some time, but I think he will come back to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets into those big events, he would play those, too.\” With player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee reportedly open to easing his suspension following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, Koepka’s comeback seems likely.
Update: It happened: On Monday evening local time, news broke that Koepka regained immediate PGA Tour eligibility and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
The return is made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule from the previous Thursday allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory, were considered.
The PGA Tour statement says the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity and not a precedent. This likely causes concerns