First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive player who thrives on top-level competition, something he found limited in LIV Golf. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, his decision to skip his final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. He remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
There is much speculation about which tour Koepka will join next. He would be immediately eligible for the DP World Tour – possibly with a penalty – or for the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after lifetime bans were significantly softened. This question seems partially answered: Sources say Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player.
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The potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible to compete in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million events, featuring limited fields with top players. This timing is ideal for Koepka, and PGA Tour investors would welcome another big name joining the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum and the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or can participate in big events, he would play those as well.\” Possibly an exception could be made for the five-time major winner regarding his suspension, with input from the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and is set to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, with the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona also confirmed. This is enabled by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension, considering Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship major win. The PGA Tour states this rule applies to major and Players winners from the past three years and expires on February 2. This unique opportunity is not a precedent for the future, according to PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA