First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives in high-level competition, something LIV has only partly provided. He had switched to LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns threatening his career and for a substantial retirement payout. Thus, skipping the final contract year is understandable, though questions remain about possible buyouts or refunds. The 35-year-old still owns the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations are rife about which tour Koepka will appear on next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible probably after a penalty payment, or the PGA Tour, where he faced a one-year suspension following his last LIV start, since former commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans were significantly softened. This key question is partly answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his formerly non-renewed PGA Tour membership and rejoin the playing field.
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Any suspension would expire in August, near the end of the 2026 season concluding with the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour unveils its compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top-player fields, the perfect comeback timing. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome another marquee name.
\”He might need time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not his favorite big tournaments. If he qualifies or gets invited to big events, he’ll play those too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour could be lenient with a five-time major winner—the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, all have say on suspensions. Following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, Koepka might return immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. 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 in late January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This became possible through the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” introduced last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to reinstate PGA Tour membership without suspension.