First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns to compete, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. Koepka, a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, was less motivated on LIV. He joined LIV primarily in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. His skipping the final contract season is thus unsurprising, though questions remain about buyouts or guaranteed payments. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation mounts about where Koepka will next play: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly for a penalty fee, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, since prior lifetime bans were softened. An important question is why be vengeful when LIV returnees benefit the established tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August 2026, coinciding with the Tour Championship’s conclusion. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season, which will feature a compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields—ideal timing for his return. This return also pleases PGA Tour Enterprises investors, the likely organizers of the top new league.
Jon Rahm recently said in the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies for high-profile events, he’d play those too.\” The player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, who influence suspensions, may follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: It happened exactly like that. On Monday evening, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. He will also compete at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule created last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the last three years. The deadline is February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. \”Once this door closes, no guarantee the route will reopen.\” This will give Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith pause and create unease in LIV Golf.