First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back in action, Charley Hull soon 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion intends to remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a competitive type who thrives in high-level contests, was only moderately motivated during his LIV stint. Having joined LIV in 2022 partly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, his opting out of the final contracted season is unsurprising though questions remain about financial settlements and his ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now led by Talor Gooch.
Speculations are rife about where Koepka will play next — DP World Tour where he would be eligible immediately, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after lifetime bans were significantly reduced. The question of why be vindictive when a prominent LIV returnee benefits the established PGA Tour seems partly answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that was not extended after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player pool.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season with the Tour Championship. However, Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields — a perfect time for his comeback. This would also appeal to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises backing the new top league. Jon Rahm recently predicted on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka will likely return to the PGA Tour, possibly starting with select big tournaments he prefers, with no doubt the PGA’s competition committee, led by Tiger Woods, may overlook the penalty, supported by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening (local time) the 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 Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is made possible by the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” rule, introduced last Thursday, which allows selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sports merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship winners over the past three years, and the deadline is February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This development raises questions for Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and causes unease within the LIV Golf League.
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