First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for another run, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable agreement was stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a highly competitive player who thrives on top-level competition, which he experienced only to a limited extent on LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 largely due to injury concerns that could have ended his career prematurely and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Thus, his decision to skip the last contractual season is not surprising, although questions remain about financial settlements and his ownership status of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would immediately welcome him, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV start, after former commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans were significantly softened. Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player, especially one of Koepka’s stature, benefits the established tour? Recent reports from ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reveal that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, to rejoin the playing field.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season and the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would potentially become eligible for the 2027 season, aligned with the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule featuring close to two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields—an ideal timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also appreciate the additional marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might take some time but will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing a minimum number of tournaments initially, focusing on the big events he favors. If he qualifies for or receives invites to high-profile tournaments, he would play those too. Given Koepka’s five major titles, those managing the suspension, including the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, may be lenient, especially following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement to let Koepka compete immediately.
Update: That is exactly what happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour again, with confirmed starts at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a regulation established last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s significant sporting achievements, especially the 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were key factors.
The PGA Tour statement clarifies that the special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years,