First start set at Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull heads to 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a competitor who thrives on high-level challenges, found limited motivation at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly to secure his retirement funds due to injury concerns. His skipping the final contract year raises questions: Did he buy out his contract or pay back part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next — possibly on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, maybe with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance. Following softened lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan, many expect no hard feelings as notable LIV returnees benefit the established tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which wasn’t renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension expires in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited top fields — ideal timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would surely welcome such a marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently shared on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka may take some time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing minimum events and his favorite majors. The player directors and the competition committee headed by Tiger Woods have influence on suspensions and reportedly favor re-admitting Koepka, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule created last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent 2023 PGA Championship win was considered in this case as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners of the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time clearly defined opportunity and sets no precedent for future cases. This likely causes reflection among Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and anxiety for the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system