First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure retirement funds. His skipping the final contracted season is thus not surprising, though questions remain about contract buyouts and his continued ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds which tour Koepka will join next. He would be immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, likely facing a penalty, or could return to the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, following the significant easing of lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. This crucial question seems partly answered: according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022.
A potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible to play in 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited elite fields — an ideal time for his comeback and a draw for PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka \”might need some time but I think he will return to the PGA Tour\” and \”will likely play at least the minimum, including the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies for high-profile events, he will play those too.\” The competition committee led by Tiger Woods and player directors, also heeding Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, could ease Koepka’s reinstatement.
Update: It has happened: The news spread rapidly Monday evening local time that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed participation at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
This is thanks to the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” which allows selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, including his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners of the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp described it as a \”one-time, clearly defined opportunity\” not setting a precedent. This may impact other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and cause unease in LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty is mild: a $5