First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injury threatened his career, aiming to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Thus, skipping his last contract year is understandable, though questions remain about possible buyouts or salary repayments. He also remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will soon play on. He would be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, having had previous lifetime bans reduced. Why hold grudges when every prominent LIV returnee benefits the PGA Tour’s leverage? This question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022.
An eventual ban would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule comprising about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields — a perfect comeback timing. Such a star would also please PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors likely heading the new top league.
\”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 minimally and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites for top events, he will play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour, including player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, will show leniency to the five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement for immediate play.
Update: It’s official. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
Enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule introduced last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting achievements, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour statement notes this special provision applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and not a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO