First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching her own YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive athlete who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 because injuries had cast doubts on continuing his career, and he wanted a solid retirement fund. Given this, his skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain. Did he have to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does he still own his LIV team, Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch its new captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour could grant immediate playing rights—possibly with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, with previous life bans softened. Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player strengthens the already dominant PGA Tour? This vital question might be partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that wasn’t extended after 2022 and to rejoin the players’ ranks.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible in 2027 when the PGA Tour rolls out a revamped schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, top-tier fields. It’s an ideal time for a comeback, fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a high-profile name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll come back to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar.\” \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, focusing on the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or gets invites to elite events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient toward a five-time major champion—approval comes from the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who supports Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” which permits selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his sporting merits were duly recognized, especially his 2023 PGA Championship as a fifth major victory.
The PGA Tour