First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner plans to stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s friendly statement. However, questions remain about his departure and ownership status of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
There is much speculation about which fairways Koepka will appear on next—DP World Tour, where he might be eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, though prior lifetime bans were softened? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that was not extended after 2022 and to be reinstated as a tour player.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with elite limited fields—perfect timing for a comeback, as Koepka likes it. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would also welcome a high-profile name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might take some time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing at least the minimum and his favorite big events. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, considering Rory McIlroy’s endorsement to allow him back immediately, might waive the suspension for the five-time major winner.
Update: It happened exactly like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and already tees off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is confirmed.
This was made possible by a new rule created last Thursday called the \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major winners and Players champions of the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said this is a one-time clearly defined opportunity and not precedent for future cases. The door closes after that with no guarantee to reopen, which may cause concern for Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and discomfort in the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV Golf is mild: a $5 million charity donation to PGA Tour, exclusion from FedEx Cup bonuses for 2026, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s equity bonus program tied to PGA Tour Enterprises investor funds.