First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to return, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, a fiercely competitive player, was only moderately motivated by LIV events, having joined in 2022 mainly to secure a solid retirement fund after injury doubts. Questions remain if he had to buy out his contract or reimburse part of his guaranteed pay. He still owns the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch named captain.
Speculation grows about which tours Koepka will play on next. He is immediately eligible for the DP World Tour—possibly subject to penalty payments—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event. The lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly eased. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. This timing aligns perfectly with Koepka’s prospects for a 2027 comeback under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, top-tier fields. Such a return would also be welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors.
Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might take some time but would likely return to the PGA Tour and play at least the minimum, focusing on his preferred and major events. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods hold influence over suspension decisions, with Rory McIlroy supporting Koepka’s immediate reinstatement.
Update: Koepka has been reinstated by 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 Arizona is also confirmed. This was made possible by a new \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday to allow select LIV players to rejoin without penalty. Koepka’s recent major achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship win, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major and Players champions from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp stressed this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent. This move could influence other players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and cause unease in LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is relatively mild: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s equity program linked to investment returns.
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