First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon 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 plans to remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This mutual agreement was confirmed by LIV CEO Scott McNeill. However, Koepka, known as a fierce competitor who thrives in high-level competition, was less motivated in LIV. Originally switching to LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and securing a solid retirement fund, his waiver of the final contract year comes as no surprise, though questions linger about buyouts or partial repayments. Koepka remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation arises about where Koepka will compete next: DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension post-LIV after lifetime bans were softened. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ circle.
Any potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka could then play from 2027 in the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields, an ideal comeback scenario. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would surely welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might take some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He would probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets into high-profile events, he will play those too.\” The player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee at Ponte Vedra Beach may grant leniency, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement of Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: On Monday evening local time, news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is confirmed.
This is enabled by a newly created \”Returning Member Program\” from last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s resume, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, was taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated that the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years and expires on February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future situations,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This development might concern players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and unsettle LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for LIV defection is mild: a $5 million PGA Tour charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system,