First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns at 62, and Charley Hull joins YouTube. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known for thriving on high-level competition, had limited motivation on LIV and originally joined due to injury concerns and securing a retirement fund. Questions remain about financial arrangements and his retaining ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation about Koepka’s next playing fields is intense. Eligibility for the DP World Tour is immediate, potentially with a penalty. On the PGA Tour, a one-year suspension after his last LIV event would apply, but lifetime bans have softened under Commissioner Jay Monahan. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, allowing him to rejoin the player pool.
A potential suspension ends in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season. Koepka could be eligible for 2027, perfectly timed with the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence Koepka would return, likely playing select major events that suit him. Rory McIlroy supports reinstating Koepka immediately, with Tiger Woods’ competition committee also influential in such decisions.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in TPC Scottsdale is confirmed. The new \”Returning Member Program\” enables select LIV players to rejoin without suspension, with Koepka’s recent 2023 PGA Championship win factoring in. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this unique opportunity expires February 2 and is non-precedential, raising concerns among other LIV players. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and barred from a five-year PGA Tour equity program.
LIV Start Confirmed for 2026 by DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League alongside teammates Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri for their fifth season. No contract extension has been publicly announced, suggesting ongoing negotiations to retain one of the league’s top marketable stars.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
The three-time major champion Vijay Singh, at 62, will return to the PGA Tour, using his career money list exemption. Singh begins this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii after five titles, including the Senior Players Championship, on the PGA Tour Champions.
TGL Struggles with TV Ratings in Season Two
The Tomorrow’s Golf League is seeing weak TV ratings in its second season without Tiger Woods, whose season one appearances drove high numbers. The ABC broadcast