First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a highly competitive player fueled by top-level competition, found it challenging to ignite that fire in LIV events. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and financial planning for retirement. Thus, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or return guaranteed money? Does he still own his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, albeit now reduced from lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when reinstating prominent LIV returnees benefits the established tours? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally requested reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership last Friday, seeking readmission after his 2022 departure.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale, the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA launches a new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, elite fields — the ideal moment for his return. Investors backing PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome such a marquee name. \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least a minimum schedule, targeting the big tournaments he enjoys. And if he qualifies or receives invites to top-tier events, he’d play those as well.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee likely hold discretion on suspensions, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Koepka is now officially eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines, with the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale also confirmed. This became possible via the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” which allows select LIV players to regain membership without suspension, considering major wins like Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship. The PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this as a unique, clearly defined opportunity with no guarantee of future repetition, signaling implications for players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and causing