First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to play again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, stated LIV-CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives in top-level contests, which he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. His opting out of the final contracted season raises questions such as buyout terms and his continuing ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations arise about where Koepka will play next – immediately eligible for the DP World Tour likely with a penalty or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, though lifetime bans have been softened. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 PGA Tour season finale. He would then be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields, an ideal comeback timing for Koepka. This would likely please PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed belief that Koepka would return to the PGA Tour, playing minimum events initially and selectively targeting big tournaments. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee may ease suspensions for a player of Koepka’s stature, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately.
Update: It happened: news spread rapidly Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed. This became possible through the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent accomplishments, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key in this decision.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major and Players champions of the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and not a precedent for future cases. This move may influence players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and cause unrest within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalties include a $5 million donation to the PGA Tour charity fund, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s capital partnership program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau