First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has formally withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to stay connected to competitive golf but needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil issued a friendly statement on this mutual agreement, but Koepka, known as a fiercely competitive athlete, seemed only moderately motivated during his LIV stint. Koepka initially joined LIV in 2022 mostly due to injury concerns and to secure retirement funds, so stepping back from the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. Despite this, he remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will next play. He would be immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly facing penalties, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV participation, a softened sanction compared to the previous lifetime bans. Considering this, Koepka submitted a formal application last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after its non-renewal in 2022, according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season, which will feature a condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields—a perfect timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome this marquee name to the new top-tier league.
Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He will likely play at least the minimum, focusing on the big tournaments he likes. If he can qualify for or get invites to marquee events, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, with Rory McIlroy advocating for Koepka’s immediate return, might ease his suspension.
Update: It has happened: Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is made possible by a new \”Returning Member Program\” established last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were key considerations.
The PGA Tour stated the rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this as a unique, clearly-defined opportunity without precedent or guarantee of future availability, which could influence players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, creating unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for