First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season commencing February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competitive circuit but needs more family time. This understanding was reportedly amicable, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he somewhat lacked in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns towards the end of his career and to secure a retirement fund, his skipping the last contractual season is unsurprising though questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation builds about where Koepka will play next. He would be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty fee. On the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event after previous lifetime bans were softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. However, the PGA Tour benefits from high-profile LIV returnees, especially Koepka. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported last Friday that Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to rejoin the player pool.
His suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour implements a compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields—an ideal moment for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently told the ‘Subpar’ podcast, ‘He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He will likely play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies for high-profile events, he would play those too.’ The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee may show leniency toward the five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers