First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn for the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known for thriving in high-level competition, had limited motivation playing for LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns, aiming to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. Koepka remains owner of the LIV Smash GC team, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will play next—immediate eligibility on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV start after previous lifetime bans were softened. A key question now partly answered: according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and return to the players’ roster.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields. This timing suits Koepka perfectly and is favorable for PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league, welcoming a high-profile name.
Jon Rahm recently expressed belief Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, minimally playing favorite and marquee events, possibly with eased restrictions granted by the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, aligning with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: The news spread quickly Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, announced to join the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, with WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale also confirmed.
This was made possible by the recently introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s prominent sporting merits, especially the 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years and expires on February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity without precedent for future cases, impacting players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and causing unease in LIV Golf.
Koepka must donate