First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back on the PGA Tour, and Charley Hull is launching a YouTube channel. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 intends to stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family, according to an official statement by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, was less motivated at LIV events. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is unsurprising though questions remain about financial details and his ownership status of the LIV team Smash GC.
Speculations revolve around where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event. However, life bans issued by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the playing field.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship to conclude the 2026 season. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited top-tier fields – a perfect comeback opportunity. This move is likely welcomed by investors in PGA Tour Enterprises.
Jon Rahm recently remarked on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka may need some time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, probably playing minimum events and the majors he prefers. The disciplinary board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee may show leniency, aligning with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It happened exactly as predicted. On Monday evening local time, it spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, starting with the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This was enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule created last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his sporting merits, including the 2023 PGA Championship win, were accounted for.
The PGA Tour statement clarifies this special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship victors from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity, not setting a precedent.
Koepka’s penalties for crossing over to LIV are mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and a five-year ban from the Tour’s equity program.