First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion stays connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, which he rarely found in LIV. He had joined LIV mostly in 2022 due to injury concerns about ending his career early and to secure a solid retirement fund. Therefore, skipping his last contracted season is understandable, although some questions remain, such as whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary, and whether he remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is running high on which tour Koepka will compete next — the DP World Tour where he would have immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he would serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following the significant reduction from lifetime bans. Why be vengeful when every returning LIV player, especially a high-profile one, benefits the stronger PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
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An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields — the perfect timing for Koepka’s comeback. This name would also be welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets in, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour officials, including the player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, may overlook a suspension for this five-time major winner, especially following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement to let Koepka play immediately.
Update: This has come true. On Monday evening, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by a newly created \”Returning Member Program\” last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension