First start at Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull going YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka, five-time major winner, has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh, choosing to remain connected to the rival circuit but prioritizing family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was an amicable agreement. However, Koepka, known for his competitive nature, seemed less motivated playing at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 amid injury concerns to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Questions remain whether he had to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed fee and if he still owns his LIV team, Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation heats up about where Koepka will next compete — DP World Tour, possibly facing fines for immediate eligibility, or PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension was imposed after his last LIV appearance. Former lifetime bans by ex-commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he had not renewed since 2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would then be eligible to compete in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a revamped schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields — an ideal comeback moment for the Florida powerhouse. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also welcome another marquee name in the new top-tier league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or gets into high-profile events, he would play those too.\” There is speculation the PGA Tour, including player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, may waive some suspension for a five-time major champion, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: The news spread rapidly Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed entries at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, permitting select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, expiring February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this one-time opportunity is not a precedent for future cases. This move may influence other prominent LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, causing unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $