First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil confirmed this amicable agreement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, which he lacked at LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns late in his career and to secure a retirement fund. It is therefore not surprising that he skipped the last contractually obligated season, though questions remain about whether he paid any exit fees or repayment. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds where Koepka will play next. He is eligible to play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with penalties, or on the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV event after previously imposed lifetime bans were softened. It makes sense not to be vindictive if returning LIV players, especially a star like Koepka, strengthen the dominant PGA Tour. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after not renewing it post-2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027, aligning perfectly with PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring limited fields at about two dozen $20 million events. This suits Koepka’s preferences, and PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome a major star returning.
Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism: \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll come back to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, focusing on big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies for top events, he’ll play those too.\” The suspension decision involves the PGA Tour board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, which reportedly supports immediate reinstatement per Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: It happened: On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will play at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is confirmed.
This became possible due to the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule created last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were considered, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship winners from the past three years, ending February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said this is a one-time opportunity without precedent, with no guarantee of repetition.
This might influence Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Cam Smith and causes concern for LIV Golf.
Koepka’s