First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, was somewhat underwhelmed by LIV. Having initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a retirement fund, his opting out of the last contract year comes as no surprise though questions remain regarding financial settlements and his ownership status of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds as to which tours Koepka will compete in next. He would be immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly facing a penalty fee, or the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year ban from his last LIV event with previous lifetime bans softened. This crucial question seems partly answered: according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.
A potential ban would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a new schedule capped at about two dozen $20 million events with limited, elite fields—the perfect time for his comeback. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely backing the new top league, would also welcome his return.
Jon Rahm recently expressed on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will come back to the PGA Tour. He will probably play at least the minimum, the big events he likes. If he qualifies or gets invited to high-profile tournaments, he will play those too.\” The PGA Tour may show leniency for a five-time major winner like Koepka. Besides the board, player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, who support Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play again, share influence over any suspension decisions.
Update: It has happened. 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 late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, notably the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major title, were considered.
The PGA Tour statement says the waiver applies to