First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a competitive athlete who thrives in high-level competition, was limited in motivation during his LIV tenure. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns near the end of his career and to secure a solid pension fund. His skipping the final contractual season raises questions about buyout fees or repayments. Despite this, he remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds which tours Koepka will appear on next – the DP World Tour, where he is likely immediately eligible albeit possibly with penalties, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from LIV participation applies, softened from previous lifetime bans under former commissioner Jay Monahan. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka officially applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool, indicating his return to the PGA Tour soon.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the season finale at the Tour Championship. For 2027, Koepka would be eligible to play under PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events and limited, top-ranked fields – an ideal comeback opportunity. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome the return of such a marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently expressed belief that Koepka will return, likely playing select events including majors. The PGA Tour’s disciplinary and competition committees, including Tiger Woods, have discretionary power and reportedly favor allowing Koepka back, supported by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: As expected, it was announced Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour, starting with the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale has also been confirmed.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” granting selected LIV players membership reinstatement without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting achievements, including winning the 2023 PGA Championship, were significant factors.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major and Players Champions from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This policy is expected to influence other LIV players’ futures and cause unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for switching to LIV is lenient: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the capital-sharing PGA Tour Enterprises program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
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