First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has announced he will not play in the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner remains affiliated with the competing circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known for his competitive spirit at the highest level, has been only moderately motivated during his time with LIV, having joined in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement payout. Questions remain whether he had to buy out or refund some guaranteed earnings, and if he remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about Koepka’s next playing fields — the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly after a penalty fee, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, reduced significantly from a lifetime ban previously imposed. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he did not renew after 2022.
Koepka’s suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. He would be eligible for 2027, perfectly timed for the PGA Tour’s planned new schedule with about two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, elite fields — an ideal return for Koepka. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome another star name. Jon Rahm recently said in the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He will probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies for or is invited to high-profile events, he would play those as well.\” The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence on his suspension, with Rory McIlroy already encouraging Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for the PGA Tour. He will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and is confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. This is possible thanks to the newly established \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, recognizing Koepka’s recent major achievements including the 2023 PGA Championship win.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship victors from the last three years, expiring February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stressed this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and not a precedent for future cases, signaling implications for players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau