First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to try again, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up in top-level competition, which he hardly experienced at LIV. He had switched to the Saudi circuit in 2022 mainly because he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted a good retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, although questions remain whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary. Is the 35-year-old still owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which already named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations abound on which fairways Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he could compete immediately, presumably with a fine? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV play – a ban significantly softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the already dominant tour? This key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to be readmitted as a player.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season and Tour Championship from August 27-30. But Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its new schedule packed with nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, top-tier fields. The perfect comeback timing, fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely backers of the new top league, would welcome another big name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not play the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or is invited to high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient with a five-time major winner – besides the board, player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence over suspensions. They seem to follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
This became possible thanks to a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his sporting merits, especially