First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, and Charley Hull is soon launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. In 2022, he joined LIV primarily due to injury concerns about ending his career prematurely while securing a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain, such as whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed money. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, led by new captain Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will next compete — on the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following reductions of previous lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every prominent LIV returnee benefits the Tour? This question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player roster.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season, which features a condensed schedule of around two dozen $20 million tournaments with highly selective fields — ideal for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star like Koepka.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar,\” \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll come back to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably just play the minimum and why not play the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or can enter high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and competition committee led by Tiger Woods may overlook the suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed. This is possible thanks to the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule introduced last Thursday allowing certain LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, including his 2023 PGA Championship win, were considered.
The PGA Tour statement says this exemption applies to major and Players Championship winners from the last three years, ending on February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity and not a precedent. This move could influence players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and stir unease in LIV Golf.
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