First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated the decision was amicable. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He switched in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure his retirement fund. The skip of his final contract year raises questions about buyouts and his ownership status of the LIV Smash GC team, now led by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows on where Koepka will play next. He’s eligible immediately on the DP World Tour, perhaps with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after previous lifetime bans were softened. Why retaliate when returning LIV players benefit the dominant PGA Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which wasn’t extended beyond 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 PGA Tour season. Koepka could be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s upcoming schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields—ideal for a comeback. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome a star like him. Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism on the \”Subpar\” podcast, expecting Koepka to play selectively and major events, possibly receiving leniency from the PGA Tour board and player directors, including Tiger Woods’ competition committee, aligned with Rory McIlroy’s support for Koepka’s return.
Update: It happened: On Monday evening local time, it spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was made possible by a new \”Returning Member Program\” rule introduced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent major win, the 2023 PGA Championship, greatly factored into this.
The PGA Tour stated this special provision is for major winners and Players Champions from the last three years, expiring on February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and sets no precedent,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. \”Once this window closes, no guarantee this pathway will reopen.\” This development may concern players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and stir unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV was mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and five years removed from PGA Tour Enterprises’ equity program.