First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull to launch a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected with the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. His skipping the final contractual season is not surprising but raises questions about buyouts and his ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will next compete: DP World Tour, where he’d be eligible immediately (possibly with a penalty), or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, though life bans have been considerably softened. Why be vindictive when returning LIV players benefit the PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
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Any suspension would expire in August, aligning with the season’s end at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields—the perfect comeback timing, fitting his style. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, backing the new league, would welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence on the “Subpar” podcast that Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing selectively, including the big tournaments he favors. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold veto power on suspensions, reportedly heeding Rory McIlroy’s suggestion to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It happened exactly as predicted. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately, with confirmed entries at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was enabled by a new Thursday-created rule called the \”Returning Member Program\”, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent sports merit, notably the 2023 PGA Championship win, was considered.
The PGA Tour stated this special provision applies to major and Players winners of the last three years, ending