First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was agreed amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he experienced less in LIV. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a lucrative retirement fund. Given this, skipping his final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or partial salary refunds. He also remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will next play. On the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible immediately, likely with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year ban from his last LIV event following a relaxation of previously lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? After all, why hold grudges if returning LIV players, especially high-profile ones, benefit the stronger tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that was not renewed after 2022.
His potential ban would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 under PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, elite fields. This timing suits Koepka’s competitive nature. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he can qualify for other high-profile events, he would play those too.\” There is a chance that the PGA Tour, including the competition committee led by Tiger Woods and player representatives, may soften Koepka’s ban, following Rory McIlroy’s suggestion to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It happened just that way. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on