First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, 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 competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This friendly agreement was stated officially by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitive type motivated by high-level contests, lacked full motivation at LIV. He mainly joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns threatening his career’s end and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Therefore, his skipping of the final contract year is not surprising, though questions linger about buyout or partial repayment of guaranteed money. At 35, he remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations arise about where Koepka will compete next—DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension has been served since his last LIV participation after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans. A key question partly answered: According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership not renewed after 2022 and to rejoin the players’ ranks.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship concluding the 2026 season. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 as the PGA Tour compresses its schedule to about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top-tier fields—the perfect timing for a comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors would likely welcome such a marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or receives invites to big events, he will play those too.\” Possibly, a five-time major winner might get leniency in Ponte Vedra Beach; alongside the board, player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence on suspensions and align with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened exactly that way. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is reinstated with immediate effect and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule created last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship as a fifth major, were recognized.
The PGA Tour stated this exception applies only to major