First start at Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for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 amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level sports contests, which he found somewhat lacking in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns near the end of his career and a desire to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or salary repayments. He remains an owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation mounts on where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, possibly requiring a penalty payment, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, as lifetime bans from former commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Given the PGA Tour’s benefits to LIV returnees, a reconciliation seems likely. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement into the player pool.
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Any potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka will be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields—a perfect comeback scenario suited to him. PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors, backing this new elite league, would welcome a star of Koepka’s caliber.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence on the \”Subpar\” podcast: \”He might need some time but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or gets into those high-profile events, he’ll play them too.\” The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence over suspensions and seem inclined to reinstate Koepka, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation for immediate return.
Update: The news spread quickly Monday evening local time: Koepka is reinstated immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was enabled by a new rule introduced last Thursday called