First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, and Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level sports contests, a drive only partially ignited by LIV. He switched mainly in 2022 because of injury concerns and to secure substantial retirement funds. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, although questions remain about buyouts or repayments. He remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds on where Koepka will play next – the DP World Tour, where eligibility would be immediate (possibly with penalties), or the PGA Tour, where he has served a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, following softened lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. The PGA Tour benefits from welcoming back LIV players, especially prominent ones. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship (August 27–30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027’s compressed schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited fields, a perfect comeback scenario. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome adding another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He will likely play at least the minimum and the tournaments he likes, the big ones. And if he qualifies for big events, he’ll compete in those too.\” The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee may show leniency for Koepka, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let him play immediately.
Update: It has happened: Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January in Torrey Pines. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
The \”Returning Member Program,\” created recently, allows selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, including the 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were a key factor.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp calls this a one-time opportunity, not setting a precedent. This may impact players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and cause unease in LIV League circles.
Koepka’s sanctions are mild: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and five years from the PGA Tour’s equity program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises investors.