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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League’s 2026 season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil officially stated that this was a friendly agreement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he partly lacked at LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns about ending his career early and to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, although questions remain about buyouts or guaranteed salary repayments. Koepka also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has made Talor Gooch the new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next. The DP World Tour could welcome him immediately, perhaps with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, following the easing of previous lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. It appears that Koepka has formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after 2022 and rejoin the players’ pool, according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, highly competitive fields—a perfect timing for his return. This move would also appeal to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s backers, who would welcome another big name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might take some time but expects him to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing select big events he prefers. The competition committee led by Tiger Woods and player directors may waive the suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately.
Update: Koepka is now reinstated with immediate effect and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is confirmed. This was enabled through the newly created “Returning Member Program,” which allows select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship, were taken into account. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this option applies to recent major and Players winners and expires on February 2, emphasizing it’s a one-time opportunity with no precedent for future cases. This development may cause concern among LIV Golf and players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity, forego 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses, and be excluded from capital participation programs for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return in 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson