First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was mutually agreed upon, stated LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He initially moved to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. So, his skipping the last contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain regarding any buyout or repayment. He still owns the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation abounds on where Koepka will appear next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate playing privileges, possibly with a penalty. The PGA Tour imposed a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, but former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans were significantly softened. It seems less vindictive now to welcome returning LIV players, especially prominent ones, as they benefit the stronger tour. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, highly competitive fields — an ideal comeback timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would certainly welcome another big name.
Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka might take some time but would return to the PGA Tour, likely playing at least the minimum and targeting his favorite big events. The governing bodies, including player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, may waive suspensions influenced by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: This has indeed happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that 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. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This was enabled by the newly created ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing select LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sports merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp noted this is a unique, well-defined opportunity and not a precedent for the future. Once this window closes, there’s no guarantee the path reopens. This may concern Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and unsettles the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild