First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull is 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level tournaments, which he has only partially experienced at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. His choice to forgo the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential payouts or ownership status of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty, while the PGA Tour imposed a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, drastically reduced from a lifetime ban. Returning to the PGA Tour aligns with both parties’ interests. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ circle after not extending it post-2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027, perfectly timed with the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields. This suits Koepka’s preferences and would be welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors as a valuable name on the new top league.
Jon Rahm said recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll likely play at least the minimum, focusing on the big events he likes. If he qualifies or gets invites, he’ll play those too.\” The player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence over suspensions and reportedly would follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to immediately allow Koepka to compete again.
Update: It has happened: news spread quickly Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible for 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, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key to this exception.
The PGA Tour statement clarifies this special rule applies to major and Players winners from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasizes it’s a one-time opportunity and not precedent. This development may influence LIV members such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith and concern the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is moderate: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the