First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a competitor who thrives on top-level sporting challenges, found limited motivation at LIV and had moved there in 2022 partly due to injury concerns, seeking a solid retirement fund. Questions remain on the details of his exit, including whether he reimbursed part of his guaranteed payout and his continued ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds which tours Koepka will appear on next: the DP World Tour, where he would have immediate eligibility possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV participation after lifetime bans were softened. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, aligning with the end of the 2026 season’s Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, coinciding with the PGA Tour’s newly compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields—the ideal moment for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star joining the new top-tier league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism on the podcast \”Subpar,\” suggesting Koepka may ease back by playing his preferred big events. The PGA Tour’s board, player representatives, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold sway over suspensions; Rory McIlroy advocates for Koepka’s immediate reinstatement.
Update: It happened as predicted: news spread Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed to play the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
An exemption titled the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allows select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent 2023 PGA Championship win secured his eligibility under this rule, which applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years. The deadline is February 2, and PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity, not setting a future precedent. This development concerns other LIV players and the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalties include a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s equity program related to investor funds.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Participation for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team, featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, remains unchanged