First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who gets highly motivated and fired up only during top-level contests, something he experienced only partially at LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries led him to believe his career was ending, and he wanted a substantial retirement fund. Given this, his skipping the final contracted season isn’t surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or repayment of guaranteed money. At 35, he still owns the LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations abound about where Koepka will next tee off — the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, although life bans originally given by former commissioner Jay Monahan have now been softened. Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player, especially a star like Koepka, fits well with the well-established PGA Tour? This key question seems partly answered: according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player ranks.
Update: Exactly as predicted, news spread fast Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete again on the PGA Tour and will start at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines by the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This became possible through a newly created rule last Thursday called the \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting achievements, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour statement says this special rule applies to major and Players champions from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. \”Once this door closes, there is no guarantee it will open again.\” This likely gives Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith something to consider and causes unease within LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to the PGA Tour’s charity fund, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus pool, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s equity participation program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises’ investor commitments.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau