First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf 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, this was a mutual agreement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, something LIV didn’t fully provide. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and for securing a lucrative retirement fund. Thus, his decision to skip the final contract year raises questions. Did he have to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Is he still owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch captain?
Speculation grows about where Koepka will next tee off — DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or PGA Tour, facing a one-year suspension after his last LIV start, since former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans. Why hold grudges when returning LIV players, especially prominent ones, benefit the more established Tours? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he did not renew after 2022.
Potential suspension expires in August, coinciding with the 2026 PGA Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning perfectly with PGA Tour Enterprises’ revamped schedule featuring roughly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields — ideal timing for Koepka’s return. Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism, saying Koepka will likely play minimally at first and then the big events he favors, with leadership from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy supporting his reinstatement.
Update: Koepka’s immediate PGA Tour eligibility was confirmed Monday evening, with his participation set for the Farmers Insurance Open in late January and already confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open as well. This follows the newly introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” a special rule allowing selected LIV players to regain membership without a suspension. Koepka’s recent major victories, including the 2023 PGA Championship, were key to approval. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time opportunity closing February 2, with no guarantee of future openings. This development likely unsettles LIV Golf and poses questions for Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith. Koepka will donate $5 million to the PGA Tour charity fund and is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and five years from the PGA Tour Enterprises capital program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Season 2026 Return
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