First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains associated with the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka, known for thriving in high-level competition, was only moderately motivated in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and securing a significant retirement payout, his waiver of the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions linger such as whether he had to buy out the contract or repay part of the guaranteed salary. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation abounds about which tours Koepka will play next—DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV event remains in effect but has been significantly softened from previous lifetime bans. Returning to the PGA Tour would benefit both Koepka and the established circuit. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership not extended after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, well-qualified fields—a perfect timing for his return. Even PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee name.
\”He may need some time, but I believe he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum and the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he can qualify or get invites for high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Moreover, the PGA Tour leadership including player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee may overlook Koepka’s suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately.
Update: It happened just so. On Monday evening local time, news broke that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, starting with the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This became possible through a newly created rule called the \”Returning Member Program\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win marking his fifth major, were decisive for this decision.
The PGA Tour statement says the special rule applies to major and Players champions from the past three years. The deadline is February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This development will likely influence players like Jon