First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable arrangement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level contests, something LIV provided only partially. He mainly joined LIV in 2022 to secure a substantial retirement fund after injury issues. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain: did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will next tee off. The DP World Tour could grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty; the PGA Tour imposed a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, softened from Jay Monahan’s initial lifetime ban. Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player strengthens the more powerful PGA Tour? This seems partly answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, seeking readmittance.
Potentially, the ban expires in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA’s new compressed schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million events featuring limited elite fields—a perfect stage for his comeback and attractive to PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast: \”He might need time, but I think he’ll return 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 invites to those, he’d play them too.\” PGA Tour leadership and the player committee, led by Tiger Woods, hold discretion on suspensions and reportedly support Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It has happened: On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is reinstated to the PGA Tour with immediate effect and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” letting selected LIV players resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship major win, were considered.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners of the past three years. The deadline is February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity and not a precedent. This will concern Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and unsettle the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for defecting to LIV is