First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh, with the five-time major champion stating he will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This amicable decision was announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. His 2022 move to LIV was primarily driven by injury concerns and financial security for retirement. Questions remain whether Koepka had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed payment. He remains owner of his LIV team, Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife over where Koepka will next tee off: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, following softened lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Interestingly, returning LIV players like Koepka benefit the established tour. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed post-2022, to rejoin the playing group.
An eventual suspension would run until August 2026, coinciding with the Tour Championship concluding the season. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new calendar featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields — an ideal comeback timeline for the Florida powerhouse. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome Koepka’s star power.
Jon Rahm recently told the Subpar podcast he believes Koepka will return, likely playing a minimum schedule including majors and big events, assuming qualification. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee—who also consider Rory McIlroy’s endorsement—may soften any ban for Koepka.
Update: On Monday evening local time, news broke that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with participation at the WM Phoenix Open also confirmed.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” which allows select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship major win, were key in this decision.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years and expires February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized it is a one-time opportunity, not setting a precedent.
Koepka must donate $5 million to the PGA Tour’s charity fund as a penalty, and is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially