First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants another shot, Charley Hull to launch on YouTube soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly a mutual agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, which he rarely experienced on LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries jeopardized his career and he wanted a solid retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions linger. Did he have to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed fee? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as new captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next. On the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, following significant reductions in lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? The key question now partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership that lapsed after 2022, seeking readmission to the player pool.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27–30. He would then be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour will launch a new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields — an ideal time for a comeback, perfect for Koepka’s competitive nature. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, overseeing the new top league, would certainly welcome such a high-profile name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites to big events, he’ll play those too.\” There’s even speculation the five-time major winner might get leniency in Ponte Vedra Beach, where besides the board, player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee influence suspension decisions; Rory McIlroy has recommended Koepka be allowed back immediately.
Update: It happened exactly that way. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly 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. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This was made possible by a recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win (his fifth major), were key considerations.
The PGA Tour stated that this special rule