First start already at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This amicable agreement was officially announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found somewhat lacking at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening to end his career, seeking a solid retirement fund. His skipping of the final contracted season raises questions about potential buyouts or partial repayments. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch now captain.
Speculation surrounds which tours Koepka will appear on next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—possibly after a fine—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, reduced from a lifetime ban imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges if every LIV returnee benefits the dominant PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022.
Update: On Monday evening local time, it broke that Koepka is reinstated on the PGA Tour effective immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was enabled by a new rule introduced last Thursday called the \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship major, were key factors.
The PGA Tour stated the policy applies to major winners and Players champions from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity with no precedent for future cases, creating uncertainty for players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith, and causing concern in LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for defecting to LIV is relatively mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, loss of FedEx Cup bonus eligibility in 2026, and five years’ exclusion from PGA Tour Enterprises’ capital programs.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in LIV Golf’s 2026 season. His Crushers team, featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will continue unchanged into the fifth season. Notably, BDC has not announced a long-term contract extension, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh to Return at 62 Years Old
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour