First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion plans to stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This amicable agreement came from LIV CEO Scott McNeill. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on high-level challenges, was less motivated at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns near the end of his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and ownership status of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch captain.
Speculation is rife on where Koepka will appear next. DP World Tour? PGA Tour, serving a one-year suspension since his last LIV event? Recently, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied to reinstate his PGA Tour membership. The suspension could end in August, allowing a return in 2027 with the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring around twenty $20 million events with limited elite fields — perfect timing for Koepka.
Jon Rahm suggested in the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka will return, likely playing some key events. PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee influence any suspension decisions, with Rory McIlroy advocating for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Koepka was reinstated immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
This was enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent 2023 PGA Championship win, his fifth major, was a key factor.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-off opportunity ending February 2, not setting a precedent. This move may influence other players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and cause unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka faces a mild penalty: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and five years from PGA Tour’s capital investment program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will participate in the 2026 LIV Golf season with his Crushers team alongside Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri. Interestingly, no general contract extension was announced, fueling speculation about negotiations behind the scenes.
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 62, using an exemption due to his career earnings rank. He will start at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week. Singh has won five events on the PGA Tour Champions, including the Senior Players Championship