First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has knownly withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was agreed amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only in top-level competitions, which was limited at LIV. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly expecting his career to end due to injury, aiming to secure retirement funds. So, his waiving of the final contract year is unsurprising, although questions remain about buyout details and his continuing ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
There is speculation where Koepka will next compete. On the DP World Tour, he would be immediately eligible – possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, though previous lifetime bans by ex-Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why be spiteful if every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the longer-established tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to rejoin the player pool.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour introduces a compressed schedule of about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited top-player fields. The perfect time for a comeback, fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors supporting the new elite league would welcome another star name.
\”He might need time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum and the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or gets invites to top events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient toward the five-time major winner – alongside the board, the player directors and Theo Epstein-led competition committee have a say in suspensions. Rory McIlroy recommended Koepka’s direct return.
Update: It has happened. Monday evening, news broke like wildfire that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, already teeing off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule from last Thursday permitting selected LIV players re-entrance to the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits,