First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back on tour, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of 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 issued an official statement describing the decision as amicable. Koepka, known as a competitive player who thrives in high-level competition, has been only moderately motivated during his LIV tenure. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly due to injury concerns about his career’s longevity and financial security for retirement. His opting out of the final contractual season raises questions such as whether he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed paycheck, and if he remains an owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation centers on where Koepka will compete next. He is immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, potentially after a penalty payment, or could seek reentry to the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension penalty since his last LIV event, softened significantly from lifetime bans previously issued. This change benefits the PGA Tour as they regain star power from LIV defectors. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, ending his absence post-2022.
The suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring approximately two dozen $20 million events with limited, elite fields — an ideal comeback scenario for him. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome the return of such a marquee player. Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka likely will return and play selectively, focusing on the biggest events and potentially receiving leniency on suspension from PGA leaders and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, aligning with Rory McIlroy’s supportive stance.
Update: It has happened: Monday evening news confirmed Koepka’s immediate eligibility to compete on the PGA Tour. He will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This was enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new PGA Tour rule allowing select LIV players to regain membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent performance, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win, was a key factor. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp states this unique opportunity applies to major and Players winners from the last three years and expires February 2, not setting a future precedent. This development is sure to concern Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, while unsettling LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for switching to LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to the PGA Tour’s charity fund, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and five-year ineligibility for PGA Tour Enterprises investment programs.