First start already at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching her own YouTube channel. These are the highlights of the Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a competitor who thrives in high-level sporting contests, was not fully motivated by LIV events. He originally joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. His decision to skip the final contractual season is therefore not surprising, although questions remain regarding contract buyouts and continued ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will play on next. He would be immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly subject to penalties, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, although previous lifelong bans were significantly softened. Why remain vindictive when any LIV returnee benefits the dominant PGA Tour? This question seems partially answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that was not renewed after 2022.
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Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 under the new PGA Tour schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, highly competitive fields. The timing would be perfect for his return and welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return on the \”Subpar\” podcast, predicting he might initially play a minimum schedule, focusing on the big events he enjoys. Player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, with input from Rory McIlroy who supports lifting Koepka’s ban, may show leniency to the five-time major winner.
Update: It happened exactly as expected. News spread quickly Monday evening local time that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
The new \”Returning Member Program,\” established last Thursday, allows select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were considered, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour statement states the special rule applies to major and Players winners from the past three years, ending February 2, calling it a unique and defined opportunity without precedent for future cases, said CEO Brian Rolapp. This may concern players like