First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season set to begin February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains affiliated with the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, which he lacked in LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries made him doubt his career continuation and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Hence, skipping the final contractual season surprised no one, though questions remain about buyouts or guarantee repayments. At 35, Koepka still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations abound on which fairways Koepka will next appear: the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible—likely with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, as previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a star, benefits the dominant tour? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the players’ circle.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship (August 27–30). Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields—the perfect comeback timing, suiting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league would welcome such a marquee name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said 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 can enter high-profile events, he will play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will overlook the suspension for the five-time major winner; in Ponte Vedra Beach, the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, as well as Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, could facilitate a swift return for Koepka.
Update: That’s exactly what happened. Monday evening local time, news spread fast that Koepka regained immediate eligibility for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the recently 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 as his fifth major, were acknowledged.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies