First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 champion intends to remain involved with the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitive athlete who thrives in high-level competition, which he found limited with LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 after injuries led him to consider early retirement and to secure a solid pension fund. It’s no surprise he opted out of the final contractual season, though questions remain about possible buyout terms and retaining ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation now circles around where Koepka will next compete — DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible perhaps with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance is in place but could be softened. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after not renewing post-2022.
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Koepka’s suspension would end in August 2026, coinciding with the Tour Championship’s conclusion. Under the PGA Tour’s forthcoming schedule featuring about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited elite fields, he would be eligible for 2027, ideal timing for a comeback. The new top-tier tour backed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a star.
Even Jon Rahm expressed optimism on the \”Subpar\” podcast, predicting Koepka will return to play selectively in big events. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee influence suspension decisions, with Rory McIlroy recommending immediate reinstatement.
Update: It happened as expected; Koepka is now immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
The \”Returning Member Program,\” introduced last Thursday, allows select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship, were considered.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major champions and Players winners from the last three years, finishing February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp noted this is a unique opportunity without precedent and no guarantee of recurrence. This ruling raises questions for players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, unsettling the LIV Golf League.
Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and barred from the PGA Tour capital participation program for five years.