First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil issued a friendly official statement, though Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level challenges, which LIV has provided only limitedly. Koepka joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns ending his career and securing retirement earnings. His skipping the final contracted season raises questions: did he buy out? Has he repaid part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculations are rife about where Koepka will next play: DP World Tour where immediate eligibility may come with a penalty, or PGA Tour where a one-year suspension following his last LIV event applies but has been softened since former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans. Why hold grudges when returning LIV players benefit the established tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, seeking to rejoin the players’ ranks.
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A possible suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season’s Tour Championship (Aug 27–30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited top-tier fields. This timing suits Koepka’s competitive desires and would please PGA Tour Enterprises investors. Jon Rahm recently shared on the ‘Subpar’ podcast: \”He might need some time but I believe he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll likely play a minimum, maybe his favorite big events, and if he qualifies for other top events, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence on suspensions, with Rory McIlroy advocating for Koepka’s immediate return. Fan polls by ‘Bunkered’ also show majority support.
Update: The prediction held true as word spread that Koepka is immediately eligible for PGA Tour play and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines, also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This was enabled by the newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in LIV Golf for 2026. His Crushers team—Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri—continues into their fifth season unchanged. Interesting that DeChambeau has not announced a