First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time with family. This official statement was made by LIV CEO Scott McNeil, though some remain skeptical. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level sports confrontations, something he only partially found at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injuries threatening his career’s end and to secure a substantial retirement fund. His waiver of the final contractual season is therefore not surprising, though questions remain if he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation focuses on which fairways Koepka will appear next. On the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately—likely for a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension due to his last LIV appearance, after prior life bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? A vengeful stance seems unlikely, as any LIV returnee benefits the established Tour. This key question now appears partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, seeking readmission.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s end at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule, featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields of top players—a perfect comeback moment favored by Koepka and attractive to PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
“He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,” recently said Jon Rahm on the “Subpar” podcast. “He’ll likely play at least the minimum, probably tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or gets into high-profile events, he’ll play those too.” Possibly, the PGA Tour may grant Koepka leniency regarding his suspension, influenced by recommendations from players’ directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, who follow Rory McIlroy’s advice to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It has happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is already confirmed. This was enabled by the newly created “Returning Member Program,” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were pivotal.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major champions and Players winners from the past three years. The deadline is February 2. “This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent,” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp