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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner plans to stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Many remain skeptical as Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns about continuing his career and to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain about possible buyouts or partial refund of guaranteed fees. It also remains to be seen if the 35-year-old remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations abound about which tour Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty payment, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV participation, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan significantly softened the lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a high-profile one, benefits the already dominant PGA Tour? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, terminated after 2022, to rejoin the player pool.
An eventual ban would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, perfectly timed with the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields. This timing matches Koepka’s preferences and would please the PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league, who would welcome another marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not play the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets invites to premier events, he’d play those too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour might show leniency toward the five-time major winner. Besides the Board, player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods influence suspension decisions, and following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, Koepka would be allowed to compete immediately.
Update: Exactly as anticipated, news spread rapidly Monday evening local time that Koepka is immediately eligible for 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 in Arizona is also confirmed.
This became possible through a newly created rule last Thursday dubbed the \”Returning Member Program\”, allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were taken into account, especially his 2023 PGA Championship, his fifth major.