First start at Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 season of the LIV Golf League, starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This amicable agreement was stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, which LIV only partially provided. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns that threatened his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, his waiver of the last contracted season is unsurprising, although questions linger: Did he have to buy out or return part of his guaranteed pay? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation grows on which fairways Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? There’s no reason for vindictiveness when every LIV returnee plays into the hands of the PGA Tour, which holds the upper hand. This key question seems partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership not extended after 2022 and to be readmitted to the player pool.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season with the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields, the perfect time for his return. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely heading the new top league, would surely welcome another strong name.
\”He may need some time, but I believe he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, in my opinion, and why not tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or is invited to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach will be lenient with a five-time major champion—decision power on suspensions lies with the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, who support Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately. A majority of fans apparently agree, as per an unscientific \”Bunkered\” magazine poll.
Update: \”And perhaps the PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach will be lenient with a five-time major champion\”—that’s exactly what happened. News quickly spread that Koepka is immediately eligible again for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation is also confirmed at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
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