First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh aims for a comeback; 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 remains linked to the competing circuit but wants more time for his family, with a friendly agreement reported by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, being a fiercely competitive athlete, was less motivated competing in LIV and joined in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and financial security for retirement. Questions remain, such as whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary. He still owns the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which tour Koepka will join next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, possibly with a fine, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, though earlier lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after it was not renewed post-2022.
Update: It has been confirmed that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, with his participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale already confirmed. This was enabled by the new \”Returning Member Program,\” introduced recently, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent major victory, the 2023 PGA Championship, was a key factor.
The PGA Tour stated the exemption applies to major and Players champions from the last three years, expiring on February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this as a one-time opportunity not setting a precedent. This development may concern other LIV players and the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for his LIV move is moderate: a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses, and five-year ineligibility for the tour’s equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will play the 2026 LIV Golf season with his Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri. However, no general contract extension has been announced publicly, fueling speculation on negotiations behind the scenes to retain LIV’s marquee player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour at age 62. Utilizing his status based on career earnings, he will compete this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh, who has won five titles on the PGA Tour Champions, including the Senior Players Championship, had previously focused on the senior circuit.
TGL’s Struggling TV Ratings in Season Two
The Tomorrow’s Golf League faces challenges without Tiger Woods