First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil confirmed a friendly agreement. Koepka, a highly competitive athlete who thrives on high-level contests, was less motivated during LIV events. In 2022, he joined LIV primarily due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure retirement funds. His skipping the final contracted season raises questions about potential buyouts or salary repayments. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now led by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife over which tours Koepka will next appear on: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly with a fine; or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension is in place following his last LIV appearance, albeit softened from previous lifetime bans. Given the PGA Tour’s shift in policy, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his membership and rejoin the tour playing ranks, as reported by ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach.
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The suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would then be eligible to compete in 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring roughly two dozen $20 million events with limited fields. This timing suits Koepka’s preferences and would benefit PGA Tour Enterprises investors who back the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently predicted in the Subpar podcast that Koepka would return to the PGA Tour, likely playing at least a minimum number of events and focusing on majors and preferred tournaments. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee may grant leniency for Koepka’s suspension, with Rory McIlroy already in favor of reinstatement.
Update: Koepka is now officially eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This became possible through the ‘Returning Member Program,’ a new regulation created last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship victory was a crucial merit in this decision.
The PGA Tour statement confirms this special rule applies to major and Players champions from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a unique opportunity and not a precedent for future cases. This development may cause concern among players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and within LIV Golf