First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants another shot, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He had switched to the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and the desire to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or partial repayments. Does he still own his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation arises on which fairways Koepka will soon appear. DP World Tour membership would allow immediate play, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, due to softened lifetime bans previously imposed. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player strengthens the established tour? According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed post-2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season and Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027, coinciding with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring roughly two dozen $20 million events with top-tier limited fields—a perfect comeback timing suiting Koepka. This will also please PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely leading the new top league, eager to add strong names.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return on the \”Subpar\” podcast, predicting he may play minimum events, focusing on majors and select tournaments. PGA Tour stakeholders, including player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, hold influence over suspension decisions and reportedly back Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately.
Update: It has happened: On Monday evening local time, it was widely reported 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. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This was enabled by a recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” permitting select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were decisive.
The PGA Tour clarified this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the last three years, ending February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this unique, clearly defined opportunity is not precedent-setting, with no guarantee of repetition. This policy is likely to influence players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith while causing unease in LIV Golf.
Koepka’s LIV defection penalty