First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returning, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and financial considerations for his retirement fund. His skipping of the final contractual season raises questions, including whether he had to pay a buyout and if he remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation arises on which tour Koepka will join next: the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following the reduction of lifetime bans enforced by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Returning to the PGA Tour would benefit the established circuit, and according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that lapsed after 2022.
An expected suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields — an ideal comeback scenario for Koepka. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome having such a high-profile name back.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might need some time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing selected events including the majors. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee may grant leeway on the suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: It happened exactly like that. 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 at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule introduced last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his recent 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major was a significant factor.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major champions and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said, \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set precedent for future cases. Once this window closes, there is no guarantee it will open again.\” This development may concern players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and cause unease in the LIV Golf