First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but wants more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, which he only limitedly found at LIV. He switched to LIV primarily in 2022 when he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted to secure a solid retirement fund. The waiver of his final contractual season is thus not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or salary repayments. He is reportedly still the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will play on next — the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible (perhaps with a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where he is serving a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance after lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the PGA Tour, which holds the upper hand? This key question seems partly answered now. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.
An eventual suspension would end in August. Though the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new schedule compressing nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—a perfect reentry timing perfectly suited to Koepka’s style. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely supporting the new top league, would surely welcome another big name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets into high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient with the five-time major champion—reinstatement decisions involve the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play again.
Update: It happened as anticipated. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is made possible by a newly created rule named the \”Returning Member Program,\” established last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements were considered, especially