First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, questions remain about his decision since Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives in top-level tournaments, something he experienced to a limited extent at LIV. Having switched in 2022 due to injury concerns and financial reasons, his opting out of the last contractual season is unsurprising. Speculation continues about where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension post his last LIV event, mitigated from a lifetime ban. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, seeking reinstatement.
A potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields, an ideal comeback scenario. Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, believing Koepka would return to the PGA Tour and play selective high-profile events. The PGA Tour’s board, players’ directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold influence over his suspension, reportedly following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: The news broke Monday evening that Koepka is eligible to play immediately on the PGA Tour and will compete in the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
Enabled by the new ‘Returning Member Program’ launched last Thursday, allowing select LIV players reinstatement without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship, were instrumental in this exception.
The PGA Tour clarified this provision applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this unique opportunity is non-precedential. This development likely concerns Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and raises tensions within LIV Golf.
Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity funds and is excluded from 2026 FedEx Cup bonus structures and the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program for five years as part of his penalty.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will remain intact for their fifth season. Notably, DeChambeau has not publicly extended his contract, sparking speculation on behind-the