First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but wants more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who gets motivated and fired up mainly by top-level competitions, something he found limited in LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries made him consider ending his career and he wanted a solid retirement fund. Given this, it is not surprising that he declines the last contractually required season, although questions remain. Did he have to buy out or repay part of the guaranteed fee? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations arise about where Koepka will compete next – on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly against a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after life bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the longer-established PGA Tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and rejoin the player pool.
Any suspension would expire in August. Although the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30, Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new compressed schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, top-ranked fields. The perfect time for a comeback, just to Koepka’s liking. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would surely welcome another strong brand name for their new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the podcast ‘Subpar.’ \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the events he likes, the big ones. If he can qualify for high-profile tournaments or get invitations, he would play those too.\” And who knows, the PGA Tour may turn a blind eye for the five-time major champion — the player board and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee have a say in suspensions — following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to immediately reinstate Koepka.
Update: Exactly so. On Monday evening, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour again and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at T