First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull heads to YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival tour but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which LIV did not fully provide. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. His skipping the final contracted season raises questions about possible buyouts or repayments. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now led by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound on where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, despite previous life bans being reduced. Returning LIV players, especially prominent ones like Koepka, benefit the PGA Tour landscape. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally requested reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership last Friday, aiming to rejoin the player pool after 2022’s departure.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season, but Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s compressed new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields, ideal for his comeback. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm said in the “Subpar” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, especially the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or is invited to top events, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour leadership and player directors, including the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, have influence on suspension matters and reportedly support Koepka’s immediate return, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: Koepka’s immediate reinstatement on the PGA Tour was announced Monday evening local time, with plans to compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, and confirmation for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled through a new \”Returning Member Program\” established last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sports merit, notably the 2023 PGA Championship win, was a key consideration.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major winners and Players champions over the past three years and expires February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity, not setting precedent. This move affects players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, causing unease in LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty is moderate: a $5 million donation to the PGA Tour’s charity fund, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s capital investment program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises.