First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injuries towards the end of his career and aimed to secure a solid retirement fund. It is therefore not surprising he declined the last contractual season, though questions remain about financial details and whether he remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate eligibility, possibly subject to a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, though previous lifetime bans have been significantly reduced by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. The key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring approximately two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier player fields—a perfect time for his comeback. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would surely welcome such a prominent name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes—the big ones. If he can qualify or get invites to top events, he will play those too.\” It is also possible the PGA Tour may show leniency to a five-time major winner; decisions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, with Rory McIlroy recommending Koepka’s immediate return. A majority of fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
Update: \”And maybe they’ll turn a blind eye for a five-time major champion 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 in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed. This became possible due to a newly introduced \”Returning Member Program\” which allows selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he’ll compete in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and