First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of 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 agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which LIV struggled to sustain for him. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a retirement fund. Thus, skipping his final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial details and his ownership stake in LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about which tours Koepka will appear on next. He would be immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, likely facing a penalty, or potentially the PGA Tour, where he has a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, following former commissioner Jay Monahan’s softened lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a high-profile one, strengthens the already dominant PGA Tour? This crucial question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after its non-renewal in 2022.
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His potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, coinciding with the new PGA Tour schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million events and limited elite fields — a perfect time for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would certainly welcome another marquee 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 likely play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies for high-profile events, he would play those as well.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour’s disciplinary bodies, including player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, might show leniency for the five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It has happened. Monday evening local time saw news spreading that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed starts at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key.
The PGA Tour states this rule applies only to major winners and Players Champion from the last three years