First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable agreement was stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, it’s not surprising he waived the final contract year, though questions remain: did he buy out his contract or repay part of the guaranteed purse? Will the 35-year-old remain owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation abounds about which fairways Koepka will soon appear on. The DP World Tour would allow him immediate playing privileges, perhaps with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance still applies, following the significant easing of lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee benefits the more powerful Tour? This critical question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.
Potential suspensions could expire in August, by which time the 2026 season will conclude with the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s compressed new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields, making it a perfect comeback time. Investors in the PGA Tour Enterprises, set to lead this new top league, would welcome another marquee name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the Subpar podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, I would say, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites to high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour might be lenient toward a five-time major winner. The competition committee chaired by Tiger Woods and player directors, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately, have influence over suspensions. A majority of fans, according to a non-representative poll by Bunkered magazine, seem to agree.
Update: It happened as expected: news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed. This is enabled by a newly introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation