First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but intends to spend more time with his family. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, which he experienced only limitedly in LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns about ending his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Given this, his choice to forgo the last contractually obligated season is understandable, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or repay any guaranteed earnings. He also remains the owner of his LIV team, Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds about which tour Koepka will join next. He would be immediately eligible to play on the DP World Tour, likely at a penalty cost, or seek reinstatement on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event. The lifetime bans formerly imposed by Commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. It also makes strategic sense for the PGA Tour to welcome a prominent LIV returnee, as it strengthens their competitive position. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022.
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Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be fully eligible for 2027, just as the PGA Tour rolls out its new schedule, consolidating nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, top-tier fields. That timing suits Koepka perfectly, and would also be welcomed by the investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the organizers of the new top league, who would appreciate another high-profile name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will come back to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not play the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies for or is invited to premiere events, he’d probably play those as well.\” There may even be some leniency on Koepka’s ban from the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: Indeed, it happened. 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 in late January at Torrey Pines.