First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for a comeback, 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As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion stays connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This friendly agreement was confirmed by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, something he was less motivated by in LIV. He switched to Saudi golf in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns that threatened to end his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year was not surprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed salary. He remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch now captain.
Speculations abound about where Koepka will next play: on the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible immediately—possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV start, softened from the initial lifetime ban by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why retaliate when a high-profile LIV returnee benefits the established tour? This question has partly been answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.
An eventual suspension would end in August, aligning with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its new condensed schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields—the perfect timing for a comeback that suits him. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises backing the new elite league would welcome another big name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the Subpar podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, focusing on the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or gets into high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” There is a possibility of leniency for the five-time major winner; apart from the board, player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have input on suspensions. Rory McIlroy recommends Koepka be allowed to play immediately.
Update: That’s exactly what happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete again on the PGA Tour, with appearances confirmed at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
This was enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” rule, announced last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s achievements, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth Major, were key factors.
The PGA Tour statement specifies the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions within the last three years