First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull launching 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to a friendly agreement announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, which he found somewhat lacking in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 after injury concerns threatened his career, seeking a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual playing year raises questions such as whether he had to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed money. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation mounts about where Koepka will play next—on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, as former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans were softened. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the dominant PGA Tour? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, joining the playing field again after not renewing post-2022.
An eventual ban would lift in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season after the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited, elite fields—the ideal comeback scenario. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would also welcome a name of Koepka’s stature.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” stated Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He will probably play the minimum, and why not the big events he likes? If he qualifies or gets invites to high-profile tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” The suspension oversight involves the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, which reportedly supports early reinstatement following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: On Monday night local time, news quickly spread that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, confirmed for the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. This was made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule introduced the previous Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin without suspension. Koepka’s notable merits, including the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were key.
The PGA Tour statement clarifies this special rule applies to major and Players winners from the last three years with a deadline of February 2. Brian Rolapp, PGA Tour CEO, called it a one-time opportunity without precedent for the future. This likely impacts players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, causing unease in LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for crossing over to LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA