First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he only partly found at LIV. He had initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injuries that threatened to end his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will appear on next: DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility might require a penalty fee, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, after lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced. It makes little sense to be vindictive when any LIV returnee benefits the more established tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that lapsed after 2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 PGA Tour season at the Tour Championship. This timing would enable Koepka to be eligible for 2027, aligning with PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited, highly competitive fields—a perfect re-entry point. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome a strong name like Koepka.
\”He might need some time, but I believe he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum, including big events he enjoys. If he qualifies or gets invites to top-tier tournaments, he’ll play those.\” Possibly the PGA Tour will be lenient with a five-time major winner; the Tiger Woods-led competition committee and player directors have influence. Rory McIlroy has recommended Koepka be reinstated promptly.
Update: Koepka is now eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” which permits selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s notable recent achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship win, supported this decision.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years and ends February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and sets no precedent,\” says PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This might concern players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and unsettle LIV Golf.
<