First start at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh returns at 62, and Charley Hull launches a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, set to begin February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was agreed upon amicably, according to official LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a fierce competitor who thrives at the highest level, was less motivated at LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 primarily because injury threatened his career’s end, seeking a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed money? Does he still own the LIV team Smash GC, now led by new captain Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rampant about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. DP World Tour eligibility is immediate, likely with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after prior lifetime bans were softened. Why hold grudges when LIV returnees strengthen the more established PGA Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player ranks.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, elite fields — an ideal comeback scenario. Jon Rahm recently predicted on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka will return, playing selective major events and possibly receiving leniency from PGA Tour leadership, including the Tiger Woods-led competition committee and player directors, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately.
Update: It happened as anticipated. News spread fast Monday evening that Koepka is now eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately, debuting at the late January Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines and confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This was enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s five-time major victories, including the 2023 PGA Championship, were key considerations. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time opportunity ending February 2, with no guarantees for the future, potentially influencing players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith while unsettling LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty includes a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program funded by investor stakes.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Return for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, continues for the