First start at Farmers, Vijay Singh returning, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain attached to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he rarely found in LIV. His initial LIV switch in 2022 was driven by injuries and securing retirement funds. Questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or refund part of his guaranteed money. Despite his departure, he remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation centers on where Koepka will next play. He would be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance might apply, though life bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been softened. The key question seems partially answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season’s newly compressed schedule of roughly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields—a perfect time for his return. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely backers of this new top league, would welcome such a marquee name.
“He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,” said Jon Rahm recently on the Subpar podcast. “He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets into high-profile events, he’ll play those.” There’s even speculation that the PGA might overlook a suspension for the five-time major champ, with input from board members, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the World Golf Championships Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is made possible by the newly created “Returning Member Program,” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major was a key factor in this decision.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years, with the deadline February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said, “This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for the future. Once this door closes