First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in top-level competition and has been less motivated in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and the opportunity to secure a substantial retirement fund. His skipping the final contracted season is therefore not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or repayments. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete—DP World Tour, where he could play immediately possibly with penalties, or PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension applies due to his LIV involvement, although lifetime bans were softened. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and return to competition.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for PGA Tour play and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is enabled by a new ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, recognizing Koepka’s recent competitive merits including his 2023 PGA Championship victory.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasizes this is a clear, one-time opportunity without future precedents, causing notable reactions among players and LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalties include a $5 million charity payment, exclusion from FedEx Cup bonus in 2026, and five-year suspension from PGA Tour’s equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau confirmed he will compete in LIV Golf League’s 2026 season with his Crushers team intact. No full contract extension was announced, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s prominent players.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at Age 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh is back on the PGA Tour using his career money list exemption, with a start at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh previously competed on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL TV Ratings Decline in Season Two
Without Tiger Woods, the Tomorrow’s Golf League has seen a steep drop in TV viewership. The season two opener drew only 646,000 viewers on ABC, down from 919,000 in season one’s debut. The second match’s viewership further dropped to 354,000.
The league’s founders including Woods and Rory McIlroy now face