First start at Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, which he found limited at LIV Golf. He had initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns about ending his career prematurely and to secure substantial retirement earnings. Hence, his waiver of the last contractual playing year is understandable though questions remain about buyouts or repayments. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch captain.
Speculation is rife on which fairways Koepka will next appear. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty; PGA Tour requires serving a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were reduced. It’s beneficial for the PGA Tour to welcome back prominent LIV returnees. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka filed a formal application last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and return to the players’ circle after not renewing post-2022.
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Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields — the perfect timing for a comeback. This would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises backing the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast “Subpar” that Koepka might take some time but will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing minimum events and major tournaments he prefers. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence on suspensions, with Rory McIlroy advocating for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It has happened. News broke Monday evening local time that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines late January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is confirmed. This is through a new rule called the “Returning Member Program” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin without suspension, considering sporting merits like Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this unique opportunity ends February 2 and is not precedent-setting. This likely sparks thoughts for players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and unease in LIV Golf. Koepka’s penalty is light: $5 million to PGA charity, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses and the five-year capital participation plan in