First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, and Charley Hull soon to launch her own YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. Koepka, known for his competitive spirit at the highest level, showed limited motivation with LIV and reportedly switched in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and financial security. Questions linger about contract buyouts and his ownership stakes in LIV’s Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds where Koepka will next compete: the DP World Tour, where he is likely eligible but possibly with penalties, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following LIV appearances despite reduced lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Importantly, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player ranks.
Update: On Monday evening, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour, starting at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale also confirmed. This became possible due to a new rule, the ‘Returning Member Program,’ introduced last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent achievements, notably the 2023 PGA Championship win, were key to this exception. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this unique opportunity is limited and not precedent for the future.
Koepka’s penalties include a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charities, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses, and five years off the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his return to the LIV Golf League in 2026 with his Crushers team intact, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri. No general contract extension was announced, fueling speculation on negotiations aiming to retain LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Back on PGA Tour at 62
The surprising move: three-time major winner Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at 62, using a career money rank exemption to compete at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week. Singh has previously won five titles on the PGA Tour Champions, including the Senior Players Championship.
Tomorrow’s Golf League Sees Weak TV Ratings in Season Two
The TGL struggles without Tiger Woods, with opening day viewership on ABC dropping to 646,000 from 919,000 in season one. The novelty effect diminished, and the league seeks new star power as Rory McIlroy and partners face challenges maintaining momentum.
Charley Hull Announces Upcoming YouTube Channel
Following Bryson DeChambeau’s example with over three million subscribers, Charley Hull plans to launch her own channel, ‘