First start at Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, something the LIV circuit did not fully provide. He had originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and a desire to secure a good retirement fund. His decision to skip the final contracted season raises questions about possible buyouts or repayments. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation surrounds where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour, where he would have immediate eligibility perhaps with a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he would face a one-year suspension serving since his last LIV appearance after lifetime bans were softened. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership last Friday. An eventual suspension was set to expire in August 2026, aligning with the new PGA schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields, making 2027 a perfect comeback opportunity favored by Koepka and PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
Update: The news quickly spread Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible for PGA Tour play and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Arizona is also confirmed. This was enabled by the ‘Returning Member Program’ created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent major wins, especially the 2023 PGA Championship, were key factors. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time opportunity ending February 2, with no guarantee of future precedents, signaling major implications for players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and concerns within LIV Golf. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity, forego FedEx Cup bonuses for 2026, and be excluded from the PGA Tour capital participation program for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in LIV Golf in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continues into its fifth season. However, no general contract extension was announced, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain LIV golf’s star players.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
At 62, three-time major champion Vijay Singh is back on the PGA Tour utilizing an exemption based on his career earnings ranking. He will compete at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week after winning five titles on the PGA Tour Champions, including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL Struggles Without Tiger Woods
The second season of Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) opened