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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He moved to LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and for financial security towards retirement. His waiver of the final contractual season is thus unsurprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or salary repayments. He also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will play on next. He could join the DP World Tour immediately, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he would face a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, following reduced lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Returning LIV players, especially prominent ones like Koepka, would benefit the PGA Tour’s leverage. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August 2026, coinciding with the season’s close at the Tour Championship (August 27–30). Thus, Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season, which is set to feature a condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with elite, limited fields—an ideal return timing for him. This would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely behind the new top-tier league, keen to add a star like Koepka.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar,\” \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play the minimum, focusing on tournaments he likes—the big ones. If he qualifies for high-profile events, he’d play those too.\” There are hints the PGA Tour might be lenient toward a five-time major champion like Koepka, especially with input from player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him.
Update: The news broke rapidly Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule established last Thursday that allows select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, particularly his 2023 PGA Championship win, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship victors from the past three years and expires on February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp