First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching 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As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. The decision was reportedly amicable, stated LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, which he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly for financial security due to prior injuries. Questions remain whether he had to buy out his final contract year or return part of his guaranteed fee. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculation abounds on where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate eligibility—possibly with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension stemming from his last LIV appearance, though lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why be vindictive when prominent LIV returnees ultimately benefit the established Tour? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after it wasn’t renewed post-2022.
Update: It happened: On Monday evening local time, news spread that Koepka is eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Arizona is also confirmed.
Made possible by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were key.
The PGA Tour stated the special provision applies to major winners and Players champions of the past three years, expiring February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and is no precedent for future cases,\” said CEO Brian Rolapp. This may prompt thoughts for Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and cause unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for defecting is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and five years barred from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continues unchanged into the fifth season. Interestingly, BDC has not announced a contract extension yet, suggesting behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s most marketable star following Koepka’s move.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
Surprise move: Vijay Singh is returning