First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns to compete, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This amicable agreement was stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which was limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries and the opportunity for a solid retirement fund. His decision to skip the final contracted season raises questions about buyout or salary repayment. Koepka remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations abound about where Koepka will play next—whether the DP World Tour, where he might be immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event. The lifelong bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. Returning players like Koepka strengthen the PGA Tour’s position. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, hoping to rejoin the player ranks.
Any suspension would expire in August. Although the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour compresses its schedule to about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited elite fields. This aligns well with Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome his return. Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might take time but would return to the PGA Tour, possibly playing selective big tournaments. The suspension committee, led by Tiger Woods and including Rory McIlroy, who supports Koepka’s return, has influence on this matter.
Update: It has now happened: 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 in late January at Torrey Pines. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This became possible via a new regulation called the \”Returning Member Program\” introduced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners of the past three years and is a one-time opportunity ending February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said: \”This is a clearly defined one-time opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases. Once this door closes, there is no guarantee the path will be available again.\” This likely concerns Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and creates unease in the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV