First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh still eager, Charley Hull heading soon to 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who becomes highly motivated and fired up when facing top-level competition, which LIV didn’t fully provide. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, his skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or return part of his guarantee? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about Koepka’s future fairways. Will he play on the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, given former Commissioner Jay Monahan notably softened lifetime bans? Why be vengeful if every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, benefits the longer-established tour? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership not renewed after 2022 and to rejoin the player pool.
Any potential suspension would end in August. Although the 2026 season, concluding with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, would be over, Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with highly condensed, limited fields. A perfect comeback timing to suit Koepka’s preferences. PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league would surely welcome another big name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” recently said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play the minimum at least, I’d say, and why not the tournaments he likes — the big ones. If he can qualify for or get into high-profile tournaments, he’d play those too.\” Perhaps at Ponte Vedra Beach, they might turn a blind eye for a five-time major winner — the suspension decision involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who supports Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It has happened. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
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