First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns at 62, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he only partially found in LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly due to injuries, expecting to end his career soon, aiming to secure a good pension. His waiver of the last contractual playing year is thus unsurprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out, repay part of his guaranteed salary? Will he remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation runs on where Koepka will next play: the DP World Tour, where he would immediately be eligible—likely with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, though previous lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were heavily softened? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, serves the better-positioned PGA Tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, aiming to rejoin the players’ ranks.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 under the new PGA Tour schedule, featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields—the ideal time for a comeback, fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would likely welcome another star name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the big events he likes? If he qualifies or gains entry to high-profile events, he’d play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will overlook the suspension for the five-time major winner—decisions involve board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: Indeed, 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. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule created last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to reinstate PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially the 2023 PGA Championship win, were acknowledged.
The PGA Tour stated this exception applies to major winners and Players champions from the last three years, with