First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for another shot, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has announced he will not participate in the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but wants more time for his family. According to LIV CEO Scott McNeil, the decision was amicably agreed upon. Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives in high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. Initially joining LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund, his opting out of the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about contract buyouts or repayments. He still owns the LIV team Smash GC, recently captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound where Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year ban from his last LIV event remains, albeit reduced from a lifetime ban. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and return as a player.
An eventual ban would end in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. He would be eligible for 2027, which fits perfectly with the PGA Tour’s new schedule focusing on nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields. Jon Rahm recently predicted on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing the minimum requirement and big events he enjoys. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and competition committee led by Tiger Woods hold influence over suspension decisions, with Rory McIlroy supporting Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened as expected. On Monday evening local time, news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately reinstated to the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
This was made possible by a recently created regulation named the \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour statement notes this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners over the past three years with a deadline of February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This development may cause hesitation among players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and discomfort within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for defecting to LIV is mild; he must donate $5 million to the PGA Tour Charity Fund and is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system as well as the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program for five years.