First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh also eager to compete again, Charley Hull to launch 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 rival circuit but wants more family time. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injuries threatening his career’s end and to secure a retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is understandable, though questions remain about possible buyouts or partial paybacks. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch named captain.
Speculation revolves around where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he could compete immediately – possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened the lifetime bans. This critical question seems partly answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the players’ circle.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour plans a compressed schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million events featuring exclusive, top-tier fields – a perfect timing for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would likely welcome another marquee player. Jon Rahm recently stated on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”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 tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for high-profile events or gets invited, he would play those too.\” Possibly, the five-time major champ will get leniency from the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who supports Koepka’s immediate return following Rory McIlroy’s similar endorsement.
Update: It has happened. Monday evening local time, news broke that Koepka regained PGA Tour eligibility immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent merits, especially the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players winners from the past three years, with a deadline on