First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for another go, and Charley Hull soon launching her own YouTube channel. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain associated with the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competitive play, which he found limited in LIV. Originally joining LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns that threatened his career, he sought to secure his retirement funds. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is no surprise, though questions remain about financial settlements. Is he still owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is growing about where Koepka will next compete. The DP World Tour could welcome him without delay—possibly for a penalty fee—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, downgraded from a lifetime ban by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player benefits the PGA Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after not renewing it post-2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring roughly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, elite fields—an ideal comeback timing. This would also please PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top-tier league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” remarked Jon Rahm on the “Subpar” podcast. \”He’ll probably at least play the minimum and some big events he likes. If qualified, he might play more.\” The player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold influence over suspensions and reportedly support Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately.
Update: It has happened: news spread widely Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour, with confirmed starts at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
This is enabled by a new \”Returning Member Program\” rule introduced last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, considering Koepka’s recent sporting merits, including his 2023 PGA Championship title.
The PGA Tour states this exemption applies to major and Players Championship winners from the last three years, expiring February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp calls it a one-time unique opportunity, no precedent for future cases. This may influence other LIV players and LIV Golf itself.
Koepka’s penalties for switching to LIV are mild: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the FedEx Cup bonus pool in 2026, and a five-year ban from PGA Tour equity programs tied to investor funds.