First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back to compete, and Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. Welcome to 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family.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 a competitor who thrives in high-level competitions, something LIV Golf did not fully provide. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly due to injury concerns that threatened his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. Koepka, 35, remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next appear. He would be immediately eligible to play on the DP World Tour, likely subject to a penalty, or return to the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension following his last LIV event. The former lifetime bans imposed by ex-commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly relaxed. It seems practical not to be vindictive towards LIV returnees, especially prominent ones who benefit the established tours. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday, Koepka officially applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the finish of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour implements its compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, highly competitive fields—a perfect timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would likely welcome another strong and marketable name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the podcast “Subpar.” \”He will probably at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets invited to high-profile events, he will play them.\” It’s possible the PGA Tour, including its board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, might be lenient with the suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: Just as expected, on Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour again, with confirmed participation at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January and the WGC Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
This was made possible by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” which permits select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory, were taken into account.
The statement from the PGA Tour notes this special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship victors from the past