First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, and Charley Hull soon launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain affiliated with the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he only partially experienced at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns about the end of his career and to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions linger about potential buyout or repayment of guaranteed earnings. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch now captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will next appear on. He would immediately qualify for the DP World Tour, potentially facing a penalty, or return to the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, as former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime suspensions have been significantly softened. Why hold grudges when prominent LIV returnees benefit the stronger tours? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship, but Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields—a perfect comeback scenario for Koepka and appealing for PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors backing the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently remarked on the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka might need some time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing a minimum schedule and major tournaments he prefers. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee—supporting Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back—may be lenient with the suspension of the five-time major winner.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines, with the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, also confirmed. This is possible through the newly created ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing select LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension, recognizing Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win—the fifth major.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players winners from the last three years and expires on February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp calls it a one-time clear opportunity, not a precedent. This development will stir thoughts among Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and create discomfort within LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: he must donate $5 million to the PGA Tour’s charity fund, is excluded from the 2026 Fed