First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh also ready to compete, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
Predictably, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family, according to official statements from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. Having joined LIV Golf in 2022 partly due to injury concerns and to secure his financial future, his decision to skip the last contract year is understandable though questions remain about possible buyouts or refunds. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as team captain.
Speculation abounds about which tours Koepka will appear on next — DP World Tour where he could immediately play, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, despite previous lifetime bans being softened. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool after his membership was not renewed post-2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). This timing suits Koepka’s preference for a return in 2027 as the PGA Tour introduces a condensed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with exclusive fields. Such a return would also please PGA Tour Enterprises investors. Jon Rahm recently mentioned on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that he expects Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing selected big events. PGA Tour leadership including Tiger Woods and player directors may show leniency based on Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate play.
Update: It has happened. Monday evening local time, news spread that Koepka is eligible to play immediately on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines, with participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale also confirmed. This is enabled by a new Thursday-introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ permitting select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits including the 2023 PGA Championship were key considerations