First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to give it another try, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitive type who thrives in high-level competitions, which he experienced only to a limited extent at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns, wanting to secure a solid retirement fund. Hence, skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, although questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, recently appointing Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations arise about which fairways Koepka will appear on next — the DP World Tour where he might play immediately, possibly after a penalty payment, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced the lifetime bans significantly. It makes sense not to be vindictive when every returning LIV player actually benefits the stronger PGA Tour. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after it was not renewed post-2022 and to be reinstated as a player.
An eventual suspension would expire in August 2026, coinciding with the Tour Championship’s end on August 30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, fitting the PGA Tour’s new schedule of about two dozen $20M tournaments with limited, fully stocked player fields — the ideal timing for a comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would certainly welcome another big name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably at least play the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies for or can play in high-profile events, he would participate in those as well.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour, including the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, might overlook some restrictions for a five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: This is exactly what happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour again and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at the end of January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule implemented last Thursday permitting selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his sporting merits, particularly the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to