First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, known as a highly competitive athlete motivated by top-level contests, had limited motivation at LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury doubts about continuing his career and to secure a solid retirement fund, his opting out of the last contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repaying parts of his guaranteed salary. He also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation surrounds which fairways Koepka will soon play. Immediate eligibility exists on the DP World Tour—possibly with a penalty—or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension applies due to his last LIV appearance, though lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. Why hold grudges when prominent LIV returnees benefit the longer-established tours? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
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His possible suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s end during the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule compressing nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited fields of the best players. This timing suits Koepka’s preferences perfectly and would appeal to investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the carrier of this new elite league.
“He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,” said Jon Rahm recently on the “Subpar” podcast. “He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets into high-profile events, he’d play those, too.” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence over suspensions, with Rory McIlroy recommending Koepka be allowed to play immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is once again immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at