First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but wants more family time. This amicable agreement was stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a fierce competitor who thrives under high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. Initially, he joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. His decision not to play the final contractual season raises questions about buyouts or salary repayments. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about which tour Koepka will play on next. He could play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly incurring a penalty, or return to the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, following the relaxation of former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans. This pivotal question seems partially answered: according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the playing field.
The suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA compresses its schedule to about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields. This timing suits Koepka’s preferences and PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome his return.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, ‘He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum and his favorite big events. If he qualifies for more, he’ll play those too.’ The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, might approve Koepka’s early return.
Update: Koepka was immediately reinstated by the PGA Tour Monday evening and is set to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, with participation confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by a new ‘Returning Member Program’ introduced last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, considering Koepka’s significant merits including his 2023 PGA Championship victory.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity ending on February 2 with no guarantee for future cases, impacting players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and causing unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charities, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonus