First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for another run, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil confirmed this amicable agreement. Koepka, a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, was only moderately motivated by LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns that threatened his career and to secure a sizable retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or salary repayments. Also unclear is whether the 35-year-old remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculations focus on which fairways Koepka will appear next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, perhaps with a penalty. The PGA Tour, however, enforces a one-year suspension following his last LIV participation, after previous lifetime bans from ex-commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a star like Koepka, benefits the stronger tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022.
A potential suspension would end in August. Though the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 play under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited fields. This timing suits Koepka’s style perfectly, and investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome another prominent name. Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka might play selectively at first, focusing on big tournaments he enjoys. The PGA Tour’s competition committee, led by Tiger Woods and influenced by Rory McIlroy’s endorsement, could ease his suspension. Update: Koepka’s return was confirmed Monday evening – he is immediately eligible and will play the Farmers Insurance Open and Phoenix Open.
This is enabled by the new ‘Returning Member Program,’ a special PGA Tour rule allowing selected LIV players to regain membership without suspension, reflecting Koepka’s recent sporting achievements, including his 2023 PGA Championship win. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this one-time opportunity, which ends February 2 and is not precedent-setting. This move may unsettle other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalty includes a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will play in the