First start already at The Farmers, Vijay Singh is playing again, and Charley Hull is launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of 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 a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, which he only partially found at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 largely due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, although questions remain about whether he had to buy out or repay guaranteed money. He remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation surrounds where Koepka will next compete. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, potentially with penalty fees, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV event applies after previous lifetime bans were softened. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player benefits the PGA Tour, which holds the power? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that lapsed after 2022.
A potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with PGA Tour’s new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top fields—a perfect comeback timing. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely to back the new top league, would welcome such a marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might need time but will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing a minimum schedule including preferred big events. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee—who have influence over ban decisions—are rumored to support Koepka’s immediate return, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: It happened: On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly 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, with Phoenix Open participation confirmed too.