First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to the official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive athlete who thrives in high-level sporting contests, something he found limited in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a strong retirement payout, it is not surprising he skipped the final contracted season, although questions remain about potential buyouts or partial salary repayments. It is also unclear if Koepka retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next—on the DP World Tour, where he could be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance following previously reduced lifetime bans. The key question seems partly answered according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: last Friday, Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season, which will introduce a condensed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top player fields—a perfect timing for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors would also value another prominent name.
“He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,” said Jon Rahm recently on the “Subpar” podcast. “He’ll probably play at least the minimum, focusing on big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or is invited to more big events, he’d play those too.” The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence over suspensions and might waive Koepka’s penalty, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow him back immediately.
Update: It happened just so. 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 at Torrey Pines late January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This was enabled by the newly created “Returning Member Program” allowing selected LIV players to restore PGA Tour membership without suspension. For Koepka, his sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were recognized.
The PGA Tour stated the program applies to major winners and Players champions from the last three years, ending on February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stressed this is a unique opportunity, not setting precedent, and may not be available again. This news likely unsettles Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Cam Smith, and LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for LIV participation is mild: