First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh wants to compete again; Charley Hull to launch 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a mutual decision, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeill’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, which he found limited in LIV Golf. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyout or refunding part of his guaranteed fee. Koepka remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds on where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty fee? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension stemming from his last LIV appearance, though previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been softened? It makes sense for the established tours to welcome high-profile LIV returnees like Koepka. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his 2022-expired PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ circle.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would thus be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a compressed schedule of around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields—ideal timing for his comeback. This would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, the potential backers of the new top league, who would welcome another star name.
Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast: \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets into top events, he would play those as well.\” There’s also the possibility of leniency from the PGA Tour’s board and the players’ directors, guided by the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who, along with Rory McIlroy’s endorsement, supports Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It has happened: as of Monday evening local time, the news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, starting with the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is confirmed.
This is made possible through the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule created last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, including his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour statement says