First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back on the PGA Tour, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. But Koepka is a competitive type who thrives in top-level competition, something he experienced less with LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. It’s no surprise he skipped the last contractual season, though there are questions about possible buyouts or repayments. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour, he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following a reduction of lifetime bans. According to ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool after not renewing it since 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, just as the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship. This timing suits Koepka’s potential return in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with select fields—perfect for a player of his caliber. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome another big name. Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka might tentatively play minimal events, focusing on majors and tournaments he enjoys. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and competition committee led by Tiger Woods could waive bans, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka.
Update: The news has spread quickly: 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. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This is made possible by the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship, were considered in this decision.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship winners from the last three years, valid until February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp noted this is a one-time opportunity and no precedent for future cases. This may concern players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and stir unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV Golf is mild: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from PGA Tour Enterprises’ equity program backed by investors.