First start at Farmers is set, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, and Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This amicable agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitive type who thrives in high-level contests, which he somewhat lacked at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injuries threatening his career and aimed for a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or partial salary returns. Koepka also remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation rises on which fairways Koepka will next appear. Immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans significantly? Why be vindictive when the existing tour benefits from high-profile LIV returnees? This question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka officially applied last Friday to reactivate his non-renewed PGA Tour membership from 2022.
An eventual ban would expire in August. Though the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, well-ranked fields — the perfect comeback timing, fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also welcome another big name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the podcast \”Subpar.\” \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the events he likes, the big ones. If he can then qualify for or get into big tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will show leniency to the five-time major winner, as besides the board, player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold sway on suspensions. Rory McIlroy recommended Koepka be allowed to play immediately.
Update: This came true. 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 in late January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is enabled by a new rule, the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were crucial.
The PGA Tour statement says this special provision applies to major and Players winners of the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and