First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, was less motivated at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement payout. Thus, his decision to skip the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions linger about buyouts or paybacks. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation now focuses on which fairways Koepka will appear next. He would be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after lifetime bans were significantly reduced by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. It makes sense not to be vindictive when any LIV returnee benefits the more powerful PGA Tour. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the playing field.
An eventual ban would expire in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields — the perfect timing for a comeback, fitting Koepka’s style. This is also appealing to PGA Tour Enterprises investors expected to back the new top league.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or can enter high-profile events, he would play those.\” There’s hope multiple stakeholders, including player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, might overlook a ban for the five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s direct return.
Update: The news quickly spread Monday night: Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule created last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour statement says the special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, expiring on February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp calls it a one-time, clearly defined opportunity with no guarantee of recurrence, posing questions for players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambe