First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a competitor motivated by high-level competition, found limited success at LIV and originally joined in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure retirement earnings. Questions remain about contract buyouts and his ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation grows regarding which fairways Koepka will next appear on: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance after lifetime bans were softened. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, seeking reinstatement to the playing field.
A potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship, making 2027 a perfect reentry year under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields. Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism that Koepka will return, likely playing selected major events first, with endorsements from Rory McIlroy and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee possibly easing suspension enforcement.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines late January, and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is confirmed. This was enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” allowing select LIV players to regain membership without suspension. Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship major win was a key merit considered.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this one-time opportunity closes February 2 and is not precedent-setting. Koepka must donate $5 million to the PGA Tour charity fund, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and barred from equity in PGA Tour Enterprises for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League, with his Crushers team intact. However, no general contract extension was announced, leaving speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to keep top LIV players like Koepka and DeChambeau engaged.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh will return to the PGA Tour at 62, using an exemption based on his career money list standing. He will compete at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week, having previously won five titles, including the Senior Players Championship, on the PGA Tour Champions.
TGL Struggles with TV Ratings in Season Two
The Tomorrow’s Golf League faces challenges without Tiger Woods, with season two’s opening day attracting only