First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to try again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7th in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil said the decision was amicably agreed upon. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level tournaments and motivation, which he lacked somewhat in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries ending his career earlier than expected and financial reasons. Questions remain if he had to buy out or return parts of his guaranteed salary. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows on where Koepka will play next: DP World Tour, where he could play immediately possibly with a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event. Former PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans have been largely softened. Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach.
Any suspension would end in August, although the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields, an ideal comeback opportunity. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a star name.
Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He will likely play at least the minimum, the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or gets invited to top tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” The merger committee led by Tiger Woods and player directors, influenced by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, might overlook Koepka’s suspension.
Update: It happened as expected. On Monday evening local time, news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will start at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed. This is enabled by a new \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship, were considered. The PGA Tour’s statement clarified that this special rule applies to major and Players champions from the last three years, ending February 2nd. CEO Brian Rolapp stressed that this is a one-time opportunity with no guarantee of recurrence. This likely unsettles Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and concerns LIV Golf League stakeholders. Koepka’s penalties are mild: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and five-year exclusion from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
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