First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, and Charley Hull joining YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion intends to remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil confirmed this amicable agreement. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, had limited motivation with LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 partly due to injury concerns and financial considerations. His decision not to play the final contract year raises questions about whether he had to buy out part of his guaranteed salary or if he remains an owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds which tours Koepka will join next. He is immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, after life bans were significantly softened. Why hold grudges when returning LIV players benefit the established tour? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership.
A potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields, an ideal return scenario for him. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome such a star. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return during the ‘Subpar’ podcast, suggesting Koepka would probably play select big events initially. PGA Tour leadership, including a committee led by Tiger Woods, reportedly supports reinstating Koepka, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: The news spread quickly Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, starting at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed. This is enabled by the newly created ‘Returning Member Program’ permitting selected LIV players reinstatement without suspension, considering Koepka’s recent major win at the 2023 PGA Championship. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time opportunity until February 2 and not a precedent. This development may concern players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and causes unease within the LIV Golf League. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charities, is excluded from 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and five years from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in LIV Golf League’s 2026 season. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, heads into its fifth season unchanged. However, no general contract extension was announced for DeChambeau, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations following Koepka’s exit.