First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable agreement was the official statement by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on top-level competition and rises to the occasion, which LIV did not fully offer. He initially joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns about the end of his career, seeking a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractually required season is not surprising, although questions remain about buyout or returning some guaranteed money. He remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations grow about which tours Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour could grant him immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty. On the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, due to softened lifetime bans previously imposed. Why be vengeful when LIV returnees, especially high-profile ones, benefit the PGA Tour? This question seems partly answered: according to ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool.
The possible suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour plans to launch a new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. The perfect timing for Koepka’s comeback, which would also please investors of PGA Tour Enterprises, likely responsible for the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play the minimum, maybe the events he likes, mainly the big ones. If he qualifies for more, he’ll play them too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient with the five-time major winner; decisions regarding suspensions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods – who along with Rory McIlroy, supports Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened exactly like that. 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. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This became possible through the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule established last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA