First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel. 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Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 remain affiliated with the rival circuit but reportedly needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was a mutual agreement. Koepka, known for thriving in high-level competition, had limited motivation at LIV events. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and a desire to secure financial stability for retirement. Questions remain whether he had to buy out his contract or refund part of his guaranteed earnings. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation arises about which tours Koepka will next compete on: the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after the original lifetime bans were eased. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
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The suspension would expire in August 2026, coinciding with the conclusion of the season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, perfectly timed with the PGA Tour’s new schedule concentrating nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields—the ideal comeback for Koepka. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also welcome a high-profile name joining their new top league.
Jon Rahm recently suggested on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka likely will return to the PGA Tour, probably playing a minimum schedule initially, focusing on the big tournaments he enjoys. The decision to reinstate Koepka, especially with input from Rory McIlroy and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, may involve leniency regarding the suspension.
Update: Koepka is now reinstated immediately to the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by the new \”Returning Member Program,\” which allows select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without a suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship title, were key considerations.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies only to major and Players winners from the past three years and expires February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp insists this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity, not a precedent. This development is sure to concern LIV Golf and players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka faces a mild penalty: a $5 million donation