First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull heads to YouTube. The Back Nine.
It was expected: Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to a friendly agreement announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, something he found limited at LIV. Originally joining LIV in 2022 due to injuries threatening his career and aiming to secure a decent retirement fund, his skipping the final contracted season raises questions about financial terms and his remaining ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound about where Koepka will compete next — potentially immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly facing penalty fees, or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension applies since his last LIV event, albeit reduced from lifetime bans imposed earlier. Notably, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, after it was not renewed post-2022.
His suspension would expire in August 2026, coinciding with the PGA Tour Championship’s conclusion. Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring high-stake $20 million tournaments with limited fields — an ideal comeback timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome a notable name like Koepka. Jon Rahm recently stated on the \”Subpar\” podcast that he expects Koepka to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing select big events, with endorsements from Rory McIlroy and strategic decisions involving Tiger Woods’ competition committee potentially easing his reintegration.
Update: Koepka has been reinstated immediately and is set to compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program\” allowing certain LIV players to rejoin without suspension, considering major wins such as Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship. The PGA Tour clarified this one-time opportunity ends February 2 and is not precedent. This move places pressure on other LIV players and LIV Golf leadership. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charities and is excluded from 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses and PGA Tour Enterprises equity for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Return for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League season with his Crushers team. However, no general contract extension was announced, leading to speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements post-Koepka to retain LIV’s most marketable player. More updates expected soon.