First start at Farmers, Vijay Singh back on the scene, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This friendly agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor motivated by high-level competition, which he only partially found in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Questions remain about financial terms or buyout, and whether he retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound on where Koepka will next compete—DP World Tour with instant eligibility (possibly with a penalty), or PGA Tour where he faces a one-year ban after his last LIV start, following softened lifetime bans. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after non-renewal post-2022, aiming for reinstatement.
Update: \”Perhaps a five-time major winner like Koepka will be given leniency\”—just as it happened. That evening, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed. This was enabled by a new \”Returning Member Program\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension.
His ban will expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season featuring the Tour Championship (August 27–30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring roughly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields. This is the perfect time for his comeback, matching Koepka’s preferences. PGA Tour Enterprises investors will certainly welcome a star of his caliber. Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might take time but will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing selective big tournaments once qualified. The governing committees, including player directors and Tiger Woods’ competition committee, who influence ban decisions, may follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back swiftly. Fans also largely support this, according to a non-scientific \”Bunkered\” survey.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will play in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continues into the fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, sparking speculation on behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain LIV’s biggest marketable star after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at Age 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh is back on the PGA Tour at age 62.