First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This amicable agreement was stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive athlete who excels and gets fired up in the toughest competitions, something he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns near the end of his career and to secure a good retirement fund. His decision to skip the last contractual season raises questions about potential buyouts or paybacks, and whether he remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, who recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next—either on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following the reduction of lifetime bans originally imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. This key question seems partly answered, as ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership last Friday, rejoining the player pool after not renewing in 2022.
The potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events and limited elite fields, a perfect comeback timing suited to Koepka’s style. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely running the new top-tier league, would welcome such a star’s return.
Jon Rahm recently noted on the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka might take some time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing minimum events, including major championships he enjoys. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods hold the authority over suspensions and may heed Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: It has come to pass that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. This was enabled by the ‘Returning Member Program’, established last Thursday, permitting select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship, were key factors.
The PGA Tour statement says the special regulation applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years, ending February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a unique opportunity and not precedent