First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who is highly motivated by top-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. In 2022, he joined the Saudi-backed circuit mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about a possible buyout or refund of guaranteed money. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound about which tours Koepka will appear on next—DP World Tour where he could be immediately eligible, likely with penalties, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, following softened lifetime bans. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players group.
This suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s end after the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with exclusive fields—a perfect timing for a comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also welcome another marquee name.
\”He may need some time but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum and the big events he enjoys. If he qualifies or gets invites for more premium tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” The decision makers at Ponte Vedra Beach, including players directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, could follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately.
Update: It has happened. Monday evening local time saw widespread news that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by a new \”Returning Member Program\” rule created last Thursday allowing certain LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent achievements, notably his 2023 PGA Championship fifth major win, were considered.
The PGA Tour states this special provision applies to major and Players winners from the past three years and ends February 2. \”This is a one-time, well-defined opportunity and not a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This likely causes concern for