First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to return, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level tournament play, which he lacked at LIV Golf. He initially joined LIV in 2022 to secure a retirement fund due to injury concerns, making his foregone final contracted season unsurprising though questions remain about buyouts or repayments. It is also unclear if the 35-year-old remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife regarding which tours Koepka will play on next. He would be eligible immediately for the DP World Tour, perhaps with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance is in effect after previous lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were reduced. This suspension issue seems partly resolved. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, aiming to return to the player pool.
The suspension could expire by August. Although the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027, coinciding with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20-million events with limited elite fields. This timing suits Koepka’s competitive nature, and investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would likely welcome his star power.
Even Jon Rahm recently noted on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think Koepka will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not his preferred big events. If he can qualify for the high-profile tournaments, he would surely compete.\” The decision-making involves the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, with Rory McIlroy advocating for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Koepka has now been cleared to play immediately on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with Phoenix Open participation also confirmed.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, considering recent sporting merits such as Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp called it a \”one-time, clearly defined opportunity\” ending February 2, with no precedent for future cases. This development may unsettle players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for crossing to LIV Golf