First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, a competitive athlete who thrives in top-level competitions, had only limited motivation at LIV. Originally switching in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, it is not surprising he forgoes his final contractual season, though questions remain about financial arrangements and ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about which fairways Koepka will next grace. The DP World Tour grants immediate playing rights, likely for a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, with previous lifetime bans softened. Following reports from ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership last Friday, seeking reinstatement.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the finish of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule of two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields – a perfect timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently suggested on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka will likely return to the PGA Tour, playing at least select events he prefers, especially majors. The PGA Tour leadership, including player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, might show leniency, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: News quickly spread Monday evening that Koepka is reinstated to the PGA Tour effective immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is confirmed.
This is enabled by the recently established \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, honoring recent major wins such as Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this opportunity is unique and not necessarily precedent-setting, expiring February 2. This development might influence players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and create unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour capital investment program tied to PGA Tour Enterprises.