First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is ready for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a fierce competitor who thrives on high-level competition, was less motivated at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns about his career’s end and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and his continued ownership of LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations are rife about where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately, perhaps with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he was facing a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, with earlier lifetime bans softened. It appears the PGA Tour is welcoming returning LIV players, especially high-profile names. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player.
An eventual suspension would end in August 2026, coinciding with the end of the PGA Tour season at the Tour Championship (August 27–30). Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule focused on roughly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited elite fields—a perfect timeframe for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would likely welcome another big name.
Jon Rahm recently noted on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka might take some time but will return to the PGA Tour, playing at least a minimum number of events and focusing on majors or preferred tournaments. There is even speculation the PGA Tour might be lenient toward the five-time major winner, with player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee supporting his reinstatement, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: It happened as expected. Monday evening saw rapid news that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour, with confirmed starts at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
This is enabled by a newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, particularly his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key in this. The PGA Tour states the special rule applies only to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp calls this a unique, clearly defined opportunity not setting a future precedent. This will certainly impact others like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and create tension within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour