First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka officially withdrew from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, something he experienced only limitedly with LIV. He originally switched in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Hence, skipping the final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyout terms and his ongoing ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he would immediately be eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension post-LIV participation, after previous lifetime bans were eased? The PGA Tour seems to welcome returning LIV players, especially prominent ones, strengthening its roster. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after it lapsed post-2022.
An eventual ban would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season’s Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning perfectly with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields—a perfect reentry for the competitive player and a boon for PGA Tour investors.
Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka might take time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, playing selected big tournaments he favors. The competition committee led by Tiger Woods, alongside the board and player directors, could potentially waive suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to compete immediately.
Update: Koepka is now officially eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately and is set to start at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, also confirmed. This is enabled by a new ‘Returning Member Program’ providing select LIV players reinstatement without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship victory, were pivotal in this decision. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp states this is a one-time opportunity expiring on February 2, not setting a precedent. This decision is sure to prompt reflection among players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and causes unease in the LIV Golf League. Koepka’s penalty includes a $5 million charity contribution and exclusion from FedEx Cup bonuses and capital gains program for 2026 and five years, respectively.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in LIV Golf for 2026, with his Crushers team unchanged. However, no contract extension was announced, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain the league’s marquee players after