First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. The decision was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure retirement earnings. Questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed pay. Despite stepping back, he remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which tour Koepka will join next. He would have immediate eligibility on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, reduced from a lifetime ban. The PGA Tour seems to favor reintegration of star LIV players, which could benefit their circuit. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally requested reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership last Friday.
An eventual ban would expire in August 2026, aligning with the Tour Championship ending the 2026 season. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA’s revamped schedule featuring limited fields and high-value events. Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka will likely return and focus on tournaments he prefers, suggesting leniency from PGA Tour officials including the Tiger Woods-led competition committee. Rory McIlroy has also publicly supported Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: The news broke rapidly Monday evening: Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed entries for the Farmers Insurance Open in late January and the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale. This is due to a new “Returning Member Program” launched Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin without suspension. Koepka’s recent performances, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key considerations.
The PGA Tour clarified this special rule applies only to major and Players champions from the past three years, expiring February 2, with no guarantee of future extensions. This development may influence other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and causes unease in LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty includes a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and five-year capital programs tied to PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
DeChambeau confirms LIV return for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his participation in LIV Golf for 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains intact entering their fifth season. However, no general contract extension has been announced, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain one of LIV’s most marketable stars