First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the LIV Golf 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitive type who gets highly motivated only in top-level competitions, which he lacked somewhat at LIV. He originally switched in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns nearing the end of his career but wanted a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Is the 35-year-old still owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation abounds where Koepka will appear next — on the DP World Tour where he would have immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension for his last LIV appearance, though lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have notably softened? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, plays into the hands of the well-established PGA Tour? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the players’ roster.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season with the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields — a perfect re-entry timing, fitting Koepka’s style. This would also please investors likely backing the PGA Tour Enterprises’ new top league by adding a big name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets into high-profile events, he would play those as well.\” Furthermore, it is possible the PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach will be lenient with the five-time major champion as player reps and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods hold influence, and following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately. A majority of fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
Update: \”And maybe they will cut some slack for the five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\” — and so it happened. News spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines late January. His participation at the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is already confirmed.
This was made possible by a newly introduced \”Returning Member Program\” allowing selected LIV players