First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, and Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time.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 tournaments, something LIV didn’t fully provide. After joining LIV in 2022 mainly to secure his financial retirement amid injuries, it’s unsurprising he declines his last contracted season, though questions remain about financial settlements. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has made Talor Gooch captain.
Speculations abound on where Koepka will compete next: DP World Tour, potentially with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, though previous lifetime bans have been softened. The significant question partially answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and return to the player pool.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA compresses its schedule to about two dozen $20 million events with limited fields. This is a perfect comeback timing, appealing to Koepka and PGA Tour Enterprises investors hoping for impactful names.
Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll likely play at least the minimum and his favorite big events. If he can qualify or participate in elite tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA, influenced by Tiger Woods-led competition committee and player directors, may overlook the suspension following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” permitting selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, considering achievements like Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship victory.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions of the past three years, ending February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp noted this is a one-time defined opportunity with no guarantee of repetition, potentially influencing prominent LIV players and causing discomfort in the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year bar from PGA Tour Enterprises equity programs.