First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf League season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. In 2022, he primarily joined LIV as he was dealing with injuries and considering retirement, aiming to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, his decision to skip the last contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain. Did he buy out of his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as its new captain?
Speculation mainly revolves around where Koepka will next appear on the fairways. The DP World Tour could allow him immediate playing privileges, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, which was softened from a lifetime ban originally imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. There seems to be leniency as every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one like Koepka, benefits the already dominant PGA Tour. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to return to the playing field.
An eventual ban would expire in August. While the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-ranked fields—the perfect timing for his comeback. This would also please investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s organizers, who would welcome a high-profile player.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the podcast “Subpar”. \”He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets into those top tournaments, he’ll play them too.\” Furthermore, the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have influence over suspension decisions, and Rory McIlroy has endorsed Koepka’s immediate return. A majority of fans appear to agree, according to a non-representative “Bunkered” magazine survey.
Update: “And maybe the five-time major winner will get a lenient treatment in Ponte Vedra Beach” – that has exactly happened. News spread like wildfire that Koepka is immediately eligible to play for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open end of January in Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
This was made possible by a surprisingly introduced rule called the “Returning Member Program,”