First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back on the PGA Tour, Charley Hull launching on YouTube 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was stated amicably by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, something he didn’t fully experience in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure retirement funds, it’s no surprise he declined the final contracted season, though questions remain about buyouts or repayments. He remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next—in the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, a ban softened from the lifetime suspensions imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Importantly, making peace benefits the PGA Tour, already holding the upper hand. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported last Friday that Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after it was not extended post-2022.
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Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited fields—ideal for a comeback. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s backers, would welcome a star like Koepka.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play the minimum at least, focusing on tournaments he enjoys, especially majors. If he can qualify for top-tier events, he’d play those too.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods–led competition committee reportedly support easing Koepka’s ban, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately. A majority of fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative Bunkered survey.
Update: \”And maybe they turn a blind eye for a five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\”—which just happened. News spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open end of January at Torrey Pines, with confirmed entry for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona