First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7th in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to official LIV CEO Scott McNeil statements. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level sporting battles, a motivation he rarely found in LIV. Back in 2022, he mainly joined LIV because injuries made him see his career ending, and he wanted to secure a decent retirement fund. Given this, skipping the final contractual season is no surprise, though questions remain. Did he have to buy out? Return part of his guaranteed pay? Is he still owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as new captain?
Speculation grows about where Koepka will compete next— DP World Tour, where he could play immediately, likely with a penalty? Or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension post-LIV due to previously lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan, now softened? Why be spiteful when every LIV returnee benefits the already stronger PGA Tour? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his non-renewed PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season close at the Tour Championship (Aug 27–30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 as the PGA Tour introduces a compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited fields, perfect timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another major name. \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll come back to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or can enter big events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will ease his suspension, with input from the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, also following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for PGA Tour play and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
An exemption called the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allows selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win—the fifth major—were taken into account.
The PGA Tour statement notes this special rule applies to major champions and Players winners from the