First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull launching soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV Golf. Having joined LIV in 2022 due to injury fears and to secure a retirement fund, his waiver of the final contracted season raises questions. Did he buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed fee? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately possibly for a penalty fee, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after severe lifetime bans were softened. Why be vengeful when LIV returnees help the more powerful PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027, fitting with the new PGA Tour schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. This suits Koepka perfectly, and PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another top name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the podcast ‘Subpar’. \”He’ll probably play the minimum, focusing on the big events he enjoys. If he qualifies or gets invites to top tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will look kindly on the five-time major winner, with input from the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement of Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: As it happened, on Monday evening local time, news broke that Koepka is eligible to play immediately on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is enabled by a new \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were recognized.
The PGA Tour states this exception applies to major and Players champions from the last three years, expiring February 2. \”This is a one-time,