First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was allegedly agreed upon amicably, according to an official statement by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level sports challenges, something he only partly found at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. So his decision to skip the last contractual season is understandable, although questions remain about potential buyouts or refunding guarantees. He is still an owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations abound about where Koepka will next appear. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, perhaps facing a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans significantly? Given the advantage for the PGA Tour and the easing of restrictions for LIV returnees, the question partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming for re-admittance to the players’ circle.
An eventual suspension would expire in August. While the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27–30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule, which condenses nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments into exclusive fields—a perfect reentry point fitting Koepka’s preference. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, expected to operate the new top league, would surely welcome another big name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the podcast \”Subpar.\” \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum and, why not, the tournaments he likes, especially the big ones. If he qualifies or is invited to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” There might be leniency for the five-time major champion, as the PGA Tour board, player representatives, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee influence suspension decisions; Rory McIlroy has advocated Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened exactly that way. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour again, already teeing off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is confirmed as well.
This is enabled by a new rule created last Thursday called the \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major, were considered.
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