First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh aims for a comeback; Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League season 2026, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only by competitions at the highest level, which he experienced only to a limited extent at LIV. In 2022, he primarily joined the Saudi league because he feared his career might be over due to injury and wanted to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, although questions remain: did he have to buy out his contract, return part of the guaranteed money? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations abound about which fairways Koepka will next appear on. The DP World Tour could grant him immediate playing rights, possibly against a fine, or the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance after former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s life bans were significantly softened. There is little sense in being vindictive when every prominent LIV returnee benefits the better-positioned tour. This key question seems partially answered now. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to be readmitted to the player ranks.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season, which the PGA Tour plans to restructure with about two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited fields with the strongest players. The perfect timing for a comeback, fitting Koepka’s style. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely to back the new top league, would welcome another strong name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies or is eligible for high-profile tournaments, he would play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient on a five-time major winner — besides the board, the player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have a say on suspensions; following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, they would let Koepka play immediately.
Update: That is exactly what happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour again and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at the end of January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.