First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine delivers the latest golf updates.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting 7 February in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This amicable agreement was officially announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor fueled by high-level contests, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 amid injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping his last contracted season is unsurprising, although questions about contract buyouts and team ownership remain. Notably, Koepka is still the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife over where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he could immediately be eligible (possibly with a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event. Former commissioner Jay Monahan’s life bans have been softened, and a Return Member Program created last Thursday grants selected LIV players reinstatement without suspension if they are major or Players champions within the past three years. Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after not extending it post-2022.
Update: Koepka is now immediately PGA Tour eligible, confirmed Monday evening, and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed. This was made possible under the new \”Returning Member Program,\” taking into account Koepka’s recent achievements, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win.
The PGA Tour states this is a one-time opportunity, ending February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp noted this sets no precedent and there is no guarantee for future similar paths. This move may cause unease among LIV Golf and competitors like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalties for crossing to LIV include a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and a five-year ban from PGA Tour Enterprises’ capital participation program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Return for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season with the Crushers, featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continuing unchanged into the fifth season. No contract extension was announced, leading to speculation behind the scenes about retaining LIV’s most marketable player post-Koepka.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
Surprising move: three-time major winner Vijay Singh is back on the PGA Tour at age 62, using an exemption based on his career earnings ranking. He will compete this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh had been competing on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.