First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns as well, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level challenges, which he found limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a comfortable pension fund. Hence, his opting out of the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or repayments. Despite this, he remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch the new captain.
Speculation grows on which tours Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after lifetime bans were softened. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership from 2022 and rejoin the player ranks.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. That makes 2027 ideal for his return when the PGA Tour launches a new schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited fields—perfect timing for Koepka and appealing to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises who would welcome his star power.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum and pick his favorite big events. If he qualifies or gets invites to top tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and a competition committee led by Tiger Woods have influence over suspensions. Rory McIlroy reportedly supports Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened as anticipated. 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 in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is confirmed as well.
The new \”Returning Member Program,\” established last Thursday, allows selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s major victories, especially the 2023 PGA Championship, were key factors.
The PGA Tour statement specifies the special rule applies to major and Players champions from the last three years. The deadline is February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This move is likely to concern Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and unsettle LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026