First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns to compete, Charley Hull launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the LIV Golf season 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives under top-level competition, was less motivated in LIV Golf, having joined in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure his retirement fund. Questions remain whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary, and if he still owns his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch. Speculations about his next playing fields arise—whether on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly after a fine, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event due to eased lifetime bans previously enforced. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied to reinstate his PGA Tour membership last Friday to rejoin the player pool.
Koepka’s PGA Tour Return and New Rules
Koepka’s suspension would end in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship’s close of the 2026 season. PGA Tour is expected to launch a compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields in 2027, a perfect comeback moment for Koepka. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee player. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return via the ‘Subpar’ podcast. Koepka might play selectively in major events and the minimum required tournaments, with the PGA Tour potentially granting leniency on his ban, supported by player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately. An update confirms Koepka is now eligible for PGA Tour play immediately, starting at the Farmers Insurance Open and the WM Phoenix Open. This is enabled by the newly created ‘Returning Member Program’ that allows selected LIV players to return without suspension, recognizing their recent major wins, such as Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time opportunity, not setting a precedent, closing after February 2. Koepka’s penalty includes a $5 million charity donation and exclusion from FedEx Cup bonus and equity programs for 2026 and five years, respectively.
Other Updates in Golf
Bryson DeChambeau confirmed his participation in LIV Golf 2026 with his Crushers team intact, though without a public contract extension, fueling speculation. Vijay Singh, at 62, returns to the PGA Tour using a career money list exemption, debuting this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. TGL’s second season TV ratings dropped significantly without Tiger Woods, struggling to maintain viewer interest, prompting organizers to seek a new star attraction. Charley Hull announced a YouTube channel launching in summer, inspired by Bryson DeChambeau’s online success. Jason Day cryptically stated ‘I’ve quit’ on Instagram, stirring speculation about his future, possibly focusing full-time on the YouTube channel ‘The Lads.’ The Ladies European Tour appointed