First start already at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh eager to compete again at 62, and Charley Hull soon launching her own YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but seeks more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a fierce competitor, had limited motivation in LIV and joined in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and the opportunity to secure retirement funds. Speculation surrounds his future playing venues, including the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event. However, following new developments, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership and return to the player pool.
An actual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). This timing suits Koepka’s preferred 2027 return, as the PGA Tour plans nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, strong fields under the new schedule. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome a high-profile player like Koepka. Jon Rahm expressed optimism, suggesting Koepka would likely play minimally but focus on big events. The PGA Tour’s Board, player directors, and Tiger Woods–led competition committee might show leniency following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: The news spread quickly Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open end of January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed. This was enabled by the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent PGA Championship win in 2023 factored into this decision. The PGA Tour stated this opportunity applies only to major and Players winners from the past three years and ends February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a unique chance, not a precedent for future cases. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and is barred from PGA Tour Enterprises’ capital program for five years.
DeChambeau confirms LIV return for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in LIV Golf’s 2026 season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains intact into the fifth season. However, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements following Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62
Surprisingly, 62-year-old Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour using his career money list position exemption, starting this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh, a three-time major champion from Fiji,