First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
Expectedly, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner remains connected to LIV but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on high-level tournament pressure, was less motivated by LIV events. Having joined LIV in 2022 amid injury concerns and to secure his retirement funds, his skipping the final contract year isn’t surprising, though questions remain about his financial arrangements and ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound on where Koepka will compete next—immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly with penalties, or aiming to rejoin the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension related to LIV participation. Former lifetime bans have been softened, and reintegration of prominent LIV returnees suits the PGA Tour’s interests. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach confirmed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership for eligibility after 2022.
Update: The news spread rapidly Monday evening: Koepka is immediately eligible for PGA Tour events 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.
This is enabled by the newly established Returning Member Program, allowing select LIV players, including Koepka, to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension, recognizing significant recent victories such as his 2023 PGA Championship. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity, closing February 2, and does not set a precedent, a development likely causing concern within LIV Golf and influencing other players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalties are moderate: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and a five-year ban from PGA Tour Enterprises’ capital participation plans.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially announced his participation in LIV Golf’s 2026 season with his Crushers team unchanged. However, no long-term extension has been announced, fueling speculation about internal negotiations to retain top LIV talent after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh will return to the PGA Tour this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii, using his career money list exemption. Singh has had success on the PGA Tour Champions with five titles, including the Senior Players Championship.
Tomorrow’s Golf League Faces Low TV Ratings in Season Two
The TGL starts season two weakly in TV ratings without Tiger Woods, with lower viewership on ABC compared to the previous year’s ESPN numbers. The league’s creators must find a new star to maintain momentum, as Woods remains unmatched