First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull to launch 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who is most motivated and fired up during top-level competition, something he experienced only partially with LIV. Originally, he joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns, thinking his career was ending, and to secure solid retirement earnings for his pension fund. Therefore, his decision to skip the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain — did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play — probably with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, following the significant reduction of the life bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why hold grudges, when every high-profile LIV returnee ultimately benefits the better-positioned PGA Tour? This question seems partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and to be readmitted to the playing field.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited and top-tier fields — the perfect timing for a comeback, matching Koepka’s competitive spirit. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backers of the new elite league, would undoubtedly welcome another strong name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” recently said Jon Rahm in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he enjoys, the big ones? If he can then qualify or get invitations to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach will be lenient with the five-time major champion — the suspension decision involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods — also following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate return.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, it spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible again for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open