First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back on the PGA Tour at 62, and Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner stays connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil confirmed this mutual agreement. Koepka, known for his competitive nature at the highest level, struggled to find that edge in LIV. His 2022 move to LIV was mainly for financial security amid injury concerns. Questions remain whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary and if he will remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will next play. The DP World Tour would likely allow immediate eligibility, perhaps with a penalty, while the PGA Tour has a one-year suspension for LIV players, recently softened from lifetime bans. Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, seeking re-entry to the player pool, as reported by ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.
An August suspension end means Koepka would be eligible for the PGA Tour’s 2027 season, coinciding with the new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields, a perfect comeback scenario. This move would be welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors as another strong name boosts the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism, suggesting Koepka might ease back with select big events he likes, potentially playing more as he qualifies. The PGA Tour’s leadership, including player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, may be lenient, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: The news broke Monday that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, starting with the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin without suspension, based notably on Koepka’s recent 2023 PGA Championship win.
The PGA Tour states this exception applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, expiring February 2, and is a one-time opportunity without precedent.
Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and barred five years from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program as penalties for his LIV defection.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf season, with his Crushers team returning alongside Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri. No general contract extension was announced, leading to speculation behind the scenes following Koep