First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching on YouTube 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level sporting contests—something he lacked in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 when injury threatened to end his career, Koepka sought a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or guarantees. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as its new captain.
The big speculation surrounds where Koepka will next play. Immediately eligible on the DP World Tour—likely with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee benefits the long-dominant PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship finishing the 2026 season. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields—a perfect comeback moment fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, focusing on tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for top events, he’d play those too.\” The PGA Tour competition committee led by Tiger Woods and player directors may be lenient on a five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to compete immediately.
Update: News quickly spread Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He has also confirmed participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. This was made possible by a new rule, the \”Returning Member Program,\” created Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent PGA Championship win in 2023 played a significant role in this decision.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship winners from the past three years, expiring February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and not a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This may influence players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and cause unease in the LIV Golf League.