First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to try again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion wants to stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only in top-level sports contests, which he rarely experienced with LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. So his decision to skip his last contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or pay back part of the guaranteed money? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculations arise about which fairways Koepka will next appear on: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play—probably with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV participation, following a significant reduction of lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, benefits the more powerful tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally filed last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he did not renew after 2022, seeking readmission to the player ranks.
A potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour plans a condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields—a perfect comeback moment suiting Koepka’s taste. This would also please the investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the franchise holders of the new top league, gaining another marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, particularly the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or gets invited to high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” And who knows—perhaps the PGA Tour, including the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, will show leniency for a five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately.
Update: It happened exactly like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to reinstate their PGA Tour membership without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his sporting merits, especially