First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he had only limited motivation for at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure retirement funds. Therefore, skipping his final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or repay some guaranteed salary? Does he still own his LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event after the original lifetime bans were eased. Why show vindictiveness when notable LIV returnees ultimately benefit the PGA Tour? This question seems answered partially: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool after not renewing post-2022.
An existing suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—perfect timing. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome such a marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, maybe the big events he likes. If he qualifies or is invited to top tournaments, he’d play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will grant leniency on his suspension, with input from the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, also following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to compete immediately.
Update: It has happened: On Monday evening local time, news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the ‘Returning Member Program’ established the prior Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major, were key factors.
The PGA Tour states that this special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time, well-defined opportunity, not a precedent for future cases. This likely impacts players like Jon Rahm, Bryson De