First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh returns; Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitive athlete who thrives in high-level competitions, which the LIV circuit only partially provided. Having switched in 2022 largely due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund, his skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out? Will he remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
More speculation revolves around where Koepka will play next: immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, presumably with a penalty payment? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following the easing of previous lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the leverage held by the established tour? This core issue seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, and to rejoin the player pool.
An expected suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its compressed schedule of about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited fields. This timing suits Koepka perfectly, and would certainly please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely managing the new top league, adding another star name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the podcast \”Subpar.\” \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, I’d say, and why not select tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or is invited to premier events, he’d play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will grant leniency to the five-time major winner — decisions on suspensions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, supports Koepka’s immediate reinstatement.
Update: Just as anticipated, news spread rapidly Monday evening local time that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and is set to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. He is also confirmed to play in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is made possible by the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” introduced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s case considered his sporting achievements, particularly the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour statement clarifies this special rule applies to major winners and