First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion plans to stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitive fighter thriving on high-level competition, found LIV less motivating and reportedly joined LIV in 2022 mainly for financial security due to injury concerns. Speculation remains about whether he had to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary and if he continues to own his LIV team Smash GC.
Questions swirl about where Koepka will compete next—possibly immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, perhaps with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension post his last LIV appearance. This comes after the PGA Tour eased previously lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Reports from ESPN’s Mark Schlabach confirm Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022.
An anticipated suspension would end in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 PGA season, positioning Koepka for a 2027 return under the PGA’s revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited, elite fields—a perfect re-entry opportunity. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome Koepka’s star power.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, initially playing selected events he prefers including major tournaments. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, reportedly align with Rory McIlroy’s view to enable Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: News broke Monday night that Koepka is reinstated on the PGA Tour effective immediately. He is confirmed to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open later this January in Torrey Pines and will also compete at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was enabled by the new \”Returning Member Program,\” established last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting achievements, particularly his 2023 PGA Championship win, qualified him under this rule.
The PGA Tour statement notes this special rule is valid only for major winners and Players Championship victors from the last three years, with the deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized it as a unique opportunity with no guarantee of recurrence, likely influencing players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, while unsettling the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalties are relatively mild, including a $5 million PGA Tour charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s capital participation program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises investment.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team