First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to go again, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to career-threatening injuries, aiming for a secure retirement fund. Thus, skipping his final contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyouts or ROI of his guaranteed pay. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation intensifies about which tours Koepka will join next. He has immediate eligibility on the DP World Tour, possibly subject to a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following softened lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player benefits the more dominant Tour? This question partly resolves as ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed post-2022, aiming to rejoin the playing field.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27–30). Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour rolls out its restructured schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million events, featuring limited, elite fields — a perfect comeback timing. This would also appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely the new top league’s backers.
Jon Rahm expressed confidence on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, saying, \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum and why not the events he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites for major events, he will play those too.\” Maybe the PGA Tour, including player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, will overlook Koepka’s suspension following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately.
Update: It happened: On Monday evening local time, news broke that Koepka is eligible to compete on the PGA Tour immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is already confirmed.
A recent regulation called the ‘Returning Member Program’ allows selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key factors.
The PGA Tour statement notes the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions