First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season that starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, showed limited motivation at LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns about ending his career prematurely and to secure a substantial retirement fund, it is unsurprising he would forgo the final contract year, though questions linger about buyout terms and his ownership status of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch captain.
Speculation is rife on where Koepka will play next — the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following the significant reduction of lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player benefits the established tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed post-2022.
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The suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, high-profile fields, a perfect reentry point. This move would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises backing the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he prefers? If he qualifies and attends top events, he’ll play those too.\” With influence from the player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, and following Rory McIlroy’s direct recommendation, the five-time major champion may receive leniency regarding his suspension.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible again for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January