First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants another shot, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level sporting challenges, something LIV often lacked. He had moved to LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, it’s not surprising he forfeited the final contractual season, though questions remain about financial details and his ongoing ownership of LIV’s Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour could immediately allow him to compete, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV tournament, following the significant reduction of lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. The PGA Tour benefits from such returns, especially those of prominent players holding leverage. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022, and to reintegrate into the player pool.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible to compete in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields — an ideal comeback scenario for him. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would likely welcome another star name.
Jon Rahm recently expressed on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka might need time but will return to the PGA Tour, probably playing a minimal schedule focused on major tournaments. The PGA Tour’s player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, influenced by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, might overlook any suspension and allow immediate return for a five-time major winner.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines by the end of January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the newly created ‘Returning Member Program’, which permits selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without a suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were key factors.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship victors from the last three years, ending February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp called this a one-time, clearly defined opportunity, not setting a precedent. Once the window closes, no guarantee this path reopens. This likely prompts reflection among Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, causing