First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returning to compete, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. The agreement was reportedly amicable, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, felt less motivated at LIV and had joined mainly in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure retirement funds. Questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or refund part of his guaranteed earnings. It’s unclear if the 35-year-old remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, recently captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next—immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly with fines, or on the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, now softened from a lifetime ban. Why be vindictive when each returning LIV player benefits the more powerful Tour? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he hadn’t renewed after 2022.
The suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship (Aug 27–30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s condensed schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—a perfect comeback opportunity fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league would surely welcome this star.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently during the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He probably will play at least the minimum and the big events he likes. If he qualifies or gets invites, he will play those.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and competition committee led by Tiger Woods will flex on Koepka’s suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately.
Update: It happened as expected. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligibility-eligible on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January