First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level challenges, which he found limited in LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injury had jeopardized his career and he sought a substantial retirement fund. Given this, his skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about any buyout or repayment. He remains owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife regarding where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour where he is likely eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty; or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were softened. Why be vindictive when LIV returnees benefit the PGA Tour powerful interests? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
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Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with exclusive fields—a perfect timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll come back to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, the events he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or gets invites to marquee tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” The player board, including Tiger Woods’ competition committee, may soften the suspension—following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: The news spread quickly 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. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule established last Thursday allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were key—especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, his fifth major.
The PGA Tour statement notes this special rule applies to major and Players winners from the past three years and ends on February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases