First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine updates.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was an amicable agreement. Koepka, a fierce competitor motivated by high-level contests, was less engaged in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 amid injury concerns to secure retirement earnings, his decision not to play the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and his ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds which tour Koepka will join next. Eligible immediately for the DP World Tour, potentially with penalties, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension loomed after previous lifetime bans were eased by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. The PGA Tour seems to welcome returning LIV players to strengthen their competitive edge. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after it was not renewed post-2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season after the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields — an ideal comeback timing. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would likely welcome such a star addition.
Jon Rahm recently expressed in the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka might initially play a minimum schedule, focusing on big tournaments he likes and potentially playing top events he qualifies for. The PGA Tour’s decision-makers, including Tiger Woods-led competition committee and player directors, reportedly consider McIlroy’s suggestion to allow Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Koepka is once again eligible to play on the PGA Tour as of Monday evening local time, confirmed by news of his entry at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines later in January and the World Golf Championships Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by the recently introduced ‘Returning Member Program,’ allowing select LIV players to regain membership without suspension, with Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win considered among his sporting merits. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp describes this as a unique opportunity valid until February 2, not setting a precedent for future cases. This move likely provokes thought among Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charities, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and barred for five years from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program funded by investors.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season, continuing with his Crushers team alongside Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri into the fifth season. No general contract extension