First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. The decision was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who gets motivated and fired up during high-level sports contests, something he experienced only moderately in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement package, so his forgoing the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guarantee. He remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will next play: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—likely with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why retaliate when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one like Koepka, benefits the league holding the upper hand? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the playing field.
An eventual ban would expire in August, while the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, elite fields—perfect timing for a comeback, aligning with Koepka’s preferences and appealing to investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, which is likely to support the new top league.
”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies for bigger events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient with the five-time major winner: decisions on suspensions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who along with Rory McIlroy, supports Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It’s official: 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. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. This is possible thanks to the \”Returning Member Program,\” established last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s significant recent achievements, notably the 2023 PGA Championship win, were key considerations.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship