First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for more, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. The decision was reportedly amicable, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level challenges, something he rarely found at LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns ending his career and for a lucrative retirement payout, his skipping the last contracted season is unsurprising, though questions linger about buyouts or repayment of guaranteed money. Does he remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will play next. He could immediately compete on the DP World Tour, likely facing a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV event remains, albeit reduced from previous lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Recognizing that the PGA Tour benefits from reaccepting notable LIV returnees, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after it was not extended post-2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, aligning perfectly with the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with exclusive fields—a timing that suits Koepka’s preferences and appeals to PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
Jon Rahm recently expressed on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka might take some time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing minimum events and his favorite majors. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have a say on suspensions and reportedly follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: It happened as expected. Monday evening news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the ‘Returning Member Program’, a new rule allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merit, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, was key.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major champions and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with the deadline on February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp says this is a one-time opportunity, not setting a precedent. This will impact players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and cause unease in LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for switching to LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses, and five-year ineligibility for PGA