First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of 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 official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he rarely felt at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 thinking his career was near its end due to injury and aimed to secure a retirement fund. His decision to skip the final contracted season raises questions about buyouts or salary repayments, and whether he remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he would serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, which has since been significantly softened from a lifetime ban. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership lost after 2022 and to be readmitted to the players’ pool.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season, which features a condensed schedule with about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited fields, ideal for his style. This return would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backers of the new top league, eager for another big name.
Jon Rahm commented recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invited to the big events, he’ll play those too.\” There’s a chance a five-time major winner could get leniency from the PGA Tour board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened just like that. 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 at Torrey Pines at the end of January. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is made possible by a newly created rule called the \”Returning Member Program\” established last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sports merits were considered, notably his 2023 PGA Championship major win as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour stated that the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the last three years. The deadline is February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO