First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull to launch a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but requires more family time. This amicable agreement was confirmed by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a fierce competitor motivated by high-level contests, had limited enthusiasm for LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and the opportunity to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain. Did he have to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed earnings? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour could grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance after the original lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why be resentful when LIV returnees benefit the more dominant tour? This seems partly resolved: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with PGA Tour’s new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events featuring limited, top-tier fields — perfect timing for his return. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely overseeing the new top league, would welcome such a marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar.\” \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets invites to top events, he’d play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will show leniency to the five-time major winner — suspension decisions involve the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, reportedly following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to compete immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule established last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship (his fifth major), were considered.
The PGA Tour stated that this exception applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with the deadline on February 2. \”This is