First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull to launch on YouTube soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka, known as a competitive type who thrives under top-level contests, showed only moderate motivation with LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns about his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or refunds. He is still the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation rises about which tours Koepka will appear on next. Though eligible immediately on the DP World Tour—likely with a penalty—he faces a one-year suspension on the PGA Tour from his last LIV appearance, after reductions in former commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans. Rather than being vindictive, the PGA Tour seems to welcome returning LIV players, especially prominent ones, which benefits the established tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended beyond 2022, seeking reentry among its players.
An eventual suspension would expire in August 2026, coincident with the tour’s season end at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. This timing suits Koepka, as he would be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule with about two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, highly competitive fields. The PGA Tour Enterprises investors would likely appreciate another major name joining the premier league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently stated on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he prefers, the big ones? If he qualifies or is invited to big events, he would likely compete.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour might be lenient with a five-time major winner, as the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee consider Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: This is exactly how it happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka regained immediate eligibility on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open end of January at Torrey Pines. He is confirmed to participate in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule introduced last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory as a fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated the exemption applies to major winners and Players Championship victors in the past three years, with a deadline of