First start at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour, Charley Hull launches a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated that this was a friendly agreement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found somewhat lacking at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injury made him contemplate early retirement and he wanted a solid pension fund. Therefore, skipping the last contract year is no surprise, though questions remain about potential buyouts and his ownership status of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations are rife about where Koepka will play next. He could play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or return to the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following the reduction of lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. This ban softening benefits LIV returnees and strengthens the established tours. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship’s end on August 27–30, after which Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. This suits Koepka perfectly. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another big name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast: \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play the minimum and the tournaments he likes, especially the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites for top events, he will play those.\” The suspension decision also involves the board, player directors, and a competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who supports Rory McIlroy’s recommendation for Koepka to play immediately.
Update: It happened exactly as predicted. On Monday evening local time, news spread swiftly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This became possible through the ‘Returning Member Program’ introduced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension. Koepka’s achievements, especially the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated that the special rule applies to major champions and Players winners from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp said, \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity with no precedent for future cases. Once this window closes, there is no guarantee it will reopen.\” This may influence other players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and cause unease