First start already at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh returns too, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he somewhat lacked in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a substantial retirement payout. His skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though some questions linger, such as whether he bought out his contract or returned part of his guaranteed money, and whether he remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch captain.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will next appear—on the DP World Tour, with immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance after the lifetime bans were softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. It seems the latter question is partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
Any potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship at the end of August 2026. He would be eligible to play in 2027, the year the PGA Tour plans a compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-player fields — the perfect time for Koepka to re-enter competition. PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors would likely welcome another big name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or is invited to high-profile events, he would likely play those too.\” The PGA Tour competition committee, led by Tiger Woods, alongside the board and player directors, could waive suspensions for a five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: It has happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This was enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule created last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent sports merits, including his 2023 PGA Championship win, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour statement says the special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline on February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future situations,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rol