First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The latest from the world of golf.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level challenges, something he lacked in LIV. He joined LIV mainly in 2022 due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or salary repayments. Koepka also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation mounts about which tour Koepka will next compete on. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a fine, or the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following life bans being significantly reduced by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player benefits the dominant tour? This crucial question seems partially answered. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, suspended after 2022, seeking reinstatement.
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His suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season during the Tour Championship (Aug 27–30). He would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields—a perfect comeback opportunity for Koepka. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would surely welcome a star like him.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar\”, \”He might need time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or gets invites to those high-profile events, he would play them.\” A five-time major winner might also receive leniency in Ponte Vedra Beach, where the Tiger Woods-led competition committee and player directors have influence. Rory McIlroy even recommended Koepka be allowed to play immediately