First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to try 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he lacked at LIV. He mainly joined LIV in 2022 for financial security as injuries threatened his career end. Thus, skipping his final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain about potential buyouts or salary repayments. Whether the 35-year-old remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch, is also undetermined.
Speculation buzzes over which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour could grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, since lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why hold grudges when LIV returnees benefit the more powerful PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after 2022 and be reinstated.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season conclusion at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the new compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited fields—an ideal comeback timing for him. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star on board.
Even Jon Rahm recently suggested on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing a minimum number of favored big events and possibly others he qualifies for. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold sway on suspensions, with Rory McIlroy backing Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened. Monday evening, news spread that Koepka is immediately PGA Tour eligible and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the recent \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule created last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s substantial sporting achievements, especially his 2023 PGA Championship as a fifth major, were considered.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated the special provision applies to major champions and Players winners from the past three years, expiring February 2. He called it a one-time unique opportunity with no guaranteed future precedent. This likely causes concern among Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and unease within the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty is lenient: a $5 million donation to the PGA Tour charity fund, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonus pool, and five years off from PGA Tour capital