First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, Charley Hull launching her YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s friendly statement. However, Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives in high-level battles, had limited motivation at LIV. His 2022 LIV move was partly due to injury concerns and securing a solid retirement fund. Questions remain about whether he bought out of his last contractual year or repaid part of the guaranteed fee. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound about Koepka’s future playing venues—whether on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he currently faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance after lifetime bans were considerably softened. The key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership from the post-2022 period and rejoin the player ranks.
Any suspension would end this August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season when the PGA Tour launches its condensed schedule with about two dozen $20 million events featuring the most elite, limited fields—a perfect comeback timing for Koepka. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, expected to spearhead the new top league, would surely welcome another star name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, ‘He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or gets invites, he’d play those too.’ Possibly, the player board and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods might grant some leniency to the five-time major winner, especially following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: Exactly so. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation