First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was a mutual agreement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something LIV lacked for him. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Skipping his last contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyout or guaranteed pay repayments and if he remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, captained now by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will compete next — the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately possibly with penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, as former lifetime bans were softened. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, aiming to rejoin the players’ circle.
Instagram post from GOLF.com // GOLF Magazine
His potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s newly condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields — an ideal time for his return. This would also appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors. Jon Rahm expressed optimism in the ‘Subpar’ podcast, expecting Koepka to play selectively in favored top events. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold influence over suspensions and could follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka promptly.
Update: As it happened, Koepka was reinstated to the PGA Tour with immediate effect, confirmed on Monday evening local time, and is set to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was made possible by the recently established ‘Returning Member Program,’ allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent competitive merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win (his fifth major), were key considerations.
The PGA Tour statement noted this special provision applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized it as a one-time, clearly defined opportunity, not setting a precedent.
Koepka faces mild penalties: a $5 million donation to the PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and five years barred from PGA Tour capital investment programs tied to PGA Tour Enterprises