First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back in action, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type, highly motivated and energized by top-level competition, which LIV offered only limited opportunities for. He switched in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns near the end of his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed salary. Koepka retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. He could immediately be eligible on the DP World Tour – possibly with a penalty payment? Or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension has been serving since his last LIV event, after lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced. Why be vindictive when any prominent LIV returnee benefits the well-established Tour? This key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, allowing him back into the player pool.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour introduces a compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top-tier fields – the perfect timing for his comeback. This move would also please investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s backers, who would welcome another star name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka may need time but expects him to return to the PGA Tour, playing selected big tournaments and potentially more if qualified. The PGA Tour has discretion over suspensions, with input from players’ directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who supports Koepka’s immediate return, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed participation at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by the ‘Returning Member Program’ established last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key to this decision.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, expiring February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and sets no precedent,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This likely causes unease within LIV Golf as players like Jon Rahm, Bryson De