First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to play again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family, LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated amicably. However, the competitive nature of Koepka suggests otherwise. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns earlier in his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Hence, skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about contract buyouts or repayment of guaranteed salary. Koepka remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will next play—DP World Tour, where he could play immediately likely with a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension post-LIV participation. Former lifetime bans by Commissioner Jay Monahan were softened, allowing LIV returnees like Koepka to rejoin the PGA Tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka has formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. This timing sets the stage perfectly for Koepka’s PGA Tour reentry in 2027 under the tour’s revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited, top player fields. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a high-profile player returning.
Jon Rahm recently expressed in the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka might take time but is expected to return, playing minimum events and major tournaments he prefers. The PGA Tour’s leadership, including Tiger Woods’ competition committee and player directors, is likely to be lenient following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: Koepka has been reinstated on the PGA Tour effective immediately and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is confirmed.
The \”Returning Member Program,\” introduced recently, permits selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka qualified due to his recent sporting achievements, notably the 2023 PGA Championship win.
The PGA Tour states this is a one-time, clearly defined chance valid for major and Players champions of the last three years, expiring February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp stressed no precedent is set for future cases, signaling potential impact on players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and unrest within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty includes a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the Tour’s equity program tied to PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season