First start already at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh making a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he was less motivated by in LIV. Having switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a comfortable retirement fund, his decision to forgo the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or partial repayment of guaranteed fees. The 35-year-old remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will compete on next. On the DP World Tour, he would be immediately eligible to play, possibly after a fine; on the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension for his last LIV appearance, following a significant reduction of former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, strengthens the already dominant Tour? This question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to be reinstated as a player.
Update: \”And perhaps the five-time major winner gets a lenient eye in Ponte Vedra Beach\” – that’s exactly what happened. That evening, news spread like wildfire that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January in Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is made possible by a newly introduced rule called the \”Returning Member Program,\” which allows selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will enter their fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements aimed at retaining LIV’s most marketable star after Koepka’s departure. More on this soon.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at Age 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh from Fiji is returning to the PGA Tour at 62. Benefiting from an exemption based on his career money list ranking, Singh will start this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Previously, he competed on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.