First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League 2026 season, starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a highly competitive athlete motivated by top-tier competition, which was somewhat limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. His skipping the final contractual season raises questions about buyouts or salary refunds. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation continues about where Koepka will play next: DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly facing a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV participation, due to reduced lifetime bans previously imposed. Recent reports indicate that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and return to competition.
Update: The news quickly spread Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed starts at the Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines end of January and the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin without suspension, considering Koepka’s significant sporting merits, including his 2023 PGA Championship victory. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity with no precedent guarantee, closing February 2. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charities and is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses and PGA Tour equity programs for five years.
Koepka’s PGA Tour Membership Renewed
Koepka’s potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season’s Tour Championship. His return in 2027 aligns with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited top-tier fields. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence Koepka will return, likely starting with preferred tournaments. Input from players and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee may ease restrictions, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement to reinstate Koepka.
Other Key Golf News: LIV, Singh, TGL, and More
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau confirmed competing in the 2026 LIV Golf season with the Crushers team. Vijay Singh, at 62, returns to the PGA Tour using his career money list exemption, starting at the Sony Open Hawaii, after successes on the PGA Tour Champions.
The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) faces declining TV ratings without Tiger Woods, emphasizing the challenge of sustaining momentum and attracting viewers. Charley Hull plans to launch her own YouTube channel \”The Sweet Spot\” following Bryson DeChambeau’s successful social media presence.
Jason Day cryptically announced \”I’ve quit\” on Instagram,