First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to play again, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain linked to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly a mutual agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives in top-level contests, something he somewhat lacked in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement payout for his personal pension fund. Thus, skipping his last contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return some guaranteed money. Meanwhile, he remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rampant about where Koepka will compete next—immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after the lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly relaxed. Why hold a grudge when every returning LIV player, especially a star like Koepka, benefits the established Tour which holds more leverage? This key question has partly answered itself. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the playing ranks.
His potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 as the PGA Tour launches its new schedule with roughly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited fields of top players—the perfect moment for his return. This would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backbone of the new elite league, as Koepka’s name carries significant value.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently 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 high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient with the five-time major champion—besides the board, player directors