First start at the Farmers; Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launches 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains associated with the competing circuit but needs more family time. This decision was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, which LIV Golf only partially provided. He had switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns, seeking to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the final contract year raises questions about financial settlements and the future of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation continues about where Koepka will play next—whether the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, possibly facing a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension has been served since his last LIV event after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans. Recent reports by ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reveal Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership last Friday, aiming to rejoin the player roster.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season and Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new schedule with approximately two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, best-field players—a perfect comeback scenario, favored by Koepka and appealing to PGA Tour Enterprises investors supporting the new league.
Jon Rahm recently commented, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum and the events he prefers, the big ones. Once qualified or invited to big tournaments, he would surely compete in those too.\” The PGA Tour leadership, including the player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, seems inclined to be lenient, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It has now happened. News spread quickly Monday evening 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 at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is already confirmed.
This was made possible by the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” introduced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship victors from the past three years, with the deadline on February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said, \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for the future. Once this door closes, there is no guarantee this path will reopen.\” This likely causes concern for players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and stirs unease within the LIV Golf League.
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