First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found only limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure good retirement money. His skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about financial details and his ownership stake in LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound about which course Koepka will appear on next — the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible (likely with a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced. Why be vindictive when each prominent LIV returnee strengthens the established tour? This key question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship concluding the 2026 season. He would be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields. This timing suits Koepka perfectly and would be welcomed by investors at PGA Tour Enterprises. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return on the podcast ‘Subpar’, speculating Koepka will at least play minimum events and selected majors. The PGA Tour’s competition committee led by Tiger Woods and player directors hold influence on suspensions and reportedly support Koepka’s immediate return, aligning with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: It happened just so. Monday evening news spread rapidly that Koepka is now immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed appearances at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. This was made possible by the recently introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were decisive. The PGA Tour stated this special provision applies only to major winners and Players champions from the past three years and expires February 2, not creating a precedent. This move likely unsettles LIV Golf and sends a message to players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s equity program linked to investors.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he