First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable agreement was announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. His move to LIV in 2022 was mainly due to injury concerns about his career ending and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contract year is unsurprising though questions remain whether he bought out his contract or refunded part of his guaranteed payment. He remains an owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife where Koepka will next tee off. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—possibly with a penalty? Or back on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans? It makes sense not to be vindictive since every LIV returnee benefits the more powerful tour. This question seems partly answered: according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his membership and rejoin the PGA Tour players after not extending in 2022.
Any suspension 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 compressed new schedule of about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited, top fields—perfect timing for a comeback. This move would also please PGA Tour Enterprises investors likely behind the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, the tournaments he likes—the big ones. If he qualifies for or is invited to high-profile events, he’d play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will waive some suspension for the five-time major winner, as Rory McIlroy recommended immediate reinstatement. The decision involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods.
Update: It happened as predicted. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This was enabled by a new rule named \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, including the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour statement clarifies this special rule applies to