First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. According to LIV CEO Scott McNeil, this was a friendly agreement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he lacked in LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure retirement funds. It is no surprise he waived the final contract year, though questions remain—did he buy out, repay part of his guaranteed fee, and does he remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will appear on next. He is immediately eligible to play on the DP World Tour, likely with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he serves a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after life bans were downgraded. Why hold grudges when a returning LIV player benefits the PGA Tour’s leverage? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension expires in August. Although the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship (August 27–30), Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour compresses nearly two dozen $20-million events with limited elite fields—perfect for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome a marquee name like him.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the podcast ‘Subpar.’ \”He might just play the minimum events, and why not the ones he likes—the big ones. If he qualifies for high-profile tournaments, he will play those too.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee have a say in his suspension and reportedly support Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It happened as expected. Monday evening news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with confirmed participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This is enabled by the recently introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, notably the 2023 PGA Championship as a fifth major, were key considerations. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity valid until February 2 and does not set a precedent, possibly causing concern for other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity, forego the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and is excluded from the five-year equity program of PGA Tour Enterprises.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
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