First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull is launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known for thriving in high-level competition, was less motivated in LIV and originally joined in 2022 due to injury concerns and financial security. Questions remain about financial settlements and his ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows over Koepka’s next playing grounds: immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly with penalties, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance. Notably, former lifetime bans by PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan have been softened. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, ending his hiatus since 2022.
An expected suspension would expire in August, just as the 2026 season ends. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule with limited, high-profile fields—a perfect re-entry time. Investors in the new PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome his return. Jon Rahm recently predicted on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka would return, likely playing select tournaments and majors, with possible leniency from the PGA Tour’s board and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, reinforcing Rory McIlroy’s support for his return.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, confirmed widely Monday evening local time. He is set to begin at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with the WM Phoenix Open also confirmed. This became possible through a new ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were considered, particularly his 2023 PGA Championship victory as a fifth major. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp called this a one-time, clearly defined opportunity ending February 2, with no guarantee of repeating. This move has implications for players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and causes unease in LIV Golf. Koepka must donate $5 million to the PGA Tour charity, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and from the Tour’s equity program for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV League Start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed entering the LIV Golf League in 2026, with his Crushers team including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continuing unchanged into their fifth season. However, no general contract renewal was announced, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh is