First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, and Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a highly competitive athlete who thrives on top-level competition, had limited motivation within LIV. He switched to the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly because injury made him doubt continuing his career and he wanted to secure retirement funds. Given this, skipping his last contractual season is not surprising, although questions remain: Did he buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Is the 35-year-old still the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty. The PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV start due to reduced lifetime bans, is also a possibility. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially one as prominent as Koepka, benefits the established tour which holds the upper hand? This key 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.
An existing suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. This means Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields — the perfect timing for his return, ideal for Koepka’s competitive nature. Such a marquee name would also appeal to investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the driving force behind the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I believe he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least minimally, picking the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or is eligible for high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour might show some leniency towards the five-time major champion in Ponte Vedra Beach. Besides the board, the players’ directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee influence suspension decisions – and Rory McIlroy publicly recommended Koepka be allowed to play again.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This became possible through a new rule dubbed the ‘Returning Member Program’ introduced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, especially his