First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition and is highly motivated in such settings, something he did not fully experience in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 because injuries made him consider ending his career soon and he wanted a solid retirement income. Thus, his decision to forgo the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or payback of guaranteed money. It is also unclear if the 35-year-old remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation is rife about which tour Koepka will next appear on. The DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance after previous lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? There is no reason for vindictiveness when every LIV returnee benefits the established tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to regain full player status.
An eventual suspension would end in August. That coincides with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s new schedule focusing on around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, highly competitive fields — a perfect moment for a comeback. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s supporters, would certainly welcome another major star.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” recently said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. When he qualifies or gets invites for big tournaments, he would play those too.\” There might be leniency for the five-time major winner — decisions involving the suspension include the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, which follows Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to compete immediately.
Update: This is exactly what happened. Monday night local time, news broke that Koepka is immediately eligible to play 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, Arizona, is also confirmed.
Made possible by the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” introduced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major