First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull heads to YouTube. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka, five-time major winner, has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; he will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. According to LIV CEO Scott McNeil, this was a friendly agreement. Koepka, known for thriving in high-level competition, was less motivated in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns, seeking a solid retirement fund. Questions remain if he had to buy out his contract or repay part of the guarantee, and if he still owns his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds Koepka’s next tour: DP World Tour where he might play immediately, potentially with a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he serves a one-year suspension since his last LIV event amid eased lifetime bans. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, ending his absence since 2022.
An eventual ban would expire in August 2026, coinciding with the Tour Championship end. Koepka would be eligible for 2027’s restructured PGA Tour season featuring about two dozen $20-million events with limited elite fields, ideal for his return. This return would also appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return, expecting him to play a minimum schedule including preferred major events. Decision-makers including player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee might give leeway, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately.
Update: The news spread rapidly Monday evening: Koepka is now immediately eligible for PGA Tour play and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines, with Phoenix Open participation confirmed. This is enabled by the newly created “Returning Member Program” permitting select LIV players to rejoin PGA Tour without suspension, acknowledging Koepka’s sporting merits notably his 2023 PGA Championship win.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players champion winners from the past three years, expiring February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasizes this one-time opportunity sets no future precedent. This development likely unsettles Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Cam Smith, and LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for LIV breakaway is mild: a five-million-dollar charity contribution, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and exclusion for five years from PGA Tour Enterprises equity sharing.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed playing in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continues into season five. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not extended his contract publicly, suggesting behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain the league’s marquee player after Koepka’s departure.