First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to give it another go, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting on February 7th in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitive type who is highly motivated and fired up mainly during top-level competition, which he somewhat lacked at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because he believed his career was ending prematurely due to injuries and wanted a solid retirement fund. So giving up the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyout or partial payback. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will soon appear: the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible—possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he serves a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, now softened from previously lifetime bans? It seems this key question has been partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, seeking to be reinstated as a player.
Any suspension would end in August. Though the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited, star-studded fields—ideal timing for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another marquee name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” recently said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or is invited to top events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will overlook Koepka’s suspension, considering his five major titles. The final decision involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who along with Rory McIlroy recommends Koepka be allowed to play immediately.
Update: This has happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour again, confirmed to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
This has been made possible by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” established last Thursday, which allows selected LIV players