First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive player who thrives on the highest-level sports challenges, which he experienced only limitedly in LIV Golf. His 2022 move to the Saudi-backed league was primarily due to injury concerns that jeopardized his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain about possible payouts or ownership stakes, as he is still a co-owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows on which tours Koepka will compete next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, perhaps with penalties, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his LIV participation, since former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans. It makes little sense to be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the dominant PGA Tour. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ ranks.
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Koepka’s suspension would expire in August 2026, coinciding with the end of the season. He would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a condensed schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited top player fields—perfect timing for Koepka’s comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee name.
Even Jon Rahm predicted on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing the minimum initially and participating in his preferred major events. The controlling bodies, including the player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, reportedly may overlook his suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka without delay.
Update: News quickly spread Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete again on the PGA Tour, debuting at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with the Phoenix Open already confirmed as well.
This is enabled by the newly established \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s considerable accomplishments, especially his 2023 PGA Championship triumph, factored into this exception.
The PGA Tour states this special provision applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years and expires February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp notes it’s a one-time chance and not precedent-setting, signaling consequences for other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, causing some unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV Golf is modest: a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from 202