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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he experienced only partially with LIV. He originally moved to LIV in 2022 due to injury doubts about his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary and if he remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he would face a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after prior lifetime bans were significantly softened. It makes sense for the dominant tour to welcome prominent returning LIV players. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership post-2022 and regain player status.
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Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the finale of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27–30). Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields. This is an ideal time for his return, matching Koepka’s competitive nature. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also welcome another blockbuster name.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence: \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” mentioning Koepka would likely play a minimum schedule focused on favored major tournaments. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and competition committee led by Tiger Woods, endorsed by Rory McIlroy, might also ease his suspension.
Update: It happened as anticipated. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka regained immediate PGA Tour eligibility 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 is also confirmed.
The \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule enacted the prior Thursday, enables select LIV players to reinstate PGA membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent 2023 PGA Championship win, his fifth major, helped justify this exception.
The PGA Tour’s statement clarifies the policy applies to major and Players champions from the past three years and expires February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp