First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for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. This was reportedly a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in top-level competition and rarely gets fully motivated outside of it, which limited his LIV success. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns ending his career and to secure a steady retirement income. Thus, opting out of the final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain about whether he had to buy out or repay guarantees. He still owns the LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year ban since his last LIV event, following Jay Monahan’s reduction of lifetime suspensions. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player benefits the PGA Tour’s stronger power base? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
A possible ban would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season ending with the Tour Championship August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring tighter, more elite fields—the ideal comeback moment. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome a big name like Koepka for the new league.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or gets invited to high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour will be lenient with Koepka’s suspension; players’ directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, along with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, may allow him to play again immediately.
Update: As it happened: news spread rapidly Monday evening local time that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open end of January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule enacted last Thursday allowing select LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were considered for this.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions of the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said, \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set