First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Given Koepka’s competitive nature and his motivation primarily triggered by top-level competition, his limited enthusiasm while at LIV is understandable. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and the opportunity to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, forgoing the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions linger about buyouts or salary repayments. Koepka also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about which tours Koepka will compete on next—immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, potentially with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension after his last LIV event would apply, following the easing of lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. This critical question seems partly answered: journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership last Friday, seeking to rejoin the player roster after non-renewal post-2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship scheduled August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with elite limited fields—a perfect timing for his comeback. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, which might oversee the new top league, would welcome another star name.
Jon Rahm recently speculated in the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka might return to the PGA Tour, likely playing selectively in tournaments he prefers, including majors, with player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee potentially granting exceptions. Rory McIlroy supports Koepka’s immediate eligibility.
Update: It happened as expected. News spread rapidly Monday evening 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, with confirmed participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale also announced.
Made possible by the new ‘Returning Member Program’ established last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to reinstate PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s competitive merits were considered, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour stated this is a unique, clearly defined opportunity not setting precedent. The window closes February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp’s statement hints this might cause unease in LIV Golf League regarding other notable LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalty for defecting to LIV includes a $5 million charitable donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and a five-year ban from PGA Tour’s equity program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises investors