First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to return, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a fierce competitor motivated by high-level tournaments, had limited enthusiasm for LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury-plagued concerns about ending his career early and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Given this, it’s unsurprising he’s skipping the final contracted season, though questions persist about potential buyouts or refunding guarantees. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation grows about which tour Koepka will next appear on. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, perhaps with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after prior lifetime bans were softened. A pragmatic approach appears to be favored: reinstating LIV returnees, particularly stars like Koepka, benefits the established PGA Tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022.
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Should any suspension expire in August, it coincides with the 2026 season ending at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 PGA Tour season, featuring almost two dozen $20 million tournaments with elite, limited fields—an ideal comeback period. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the “Subpar” podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least minimally, selecting the big tournaments he prefers. Qualifying or participating in high-profile events would see him compete there as well.\” The PGA Tour’s board and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold sway over suspensions and reportedly support Koepka’s reinstatement based on Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.