First start at the Farmers Insurance Open already confirmed, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, and Charley Hull to launch her own YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh, choosing to stay connected to the competing circuit but prioritizing family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, a five-time major winner, is known to be a competitive player driven by high-level tournaments, something he lacked at LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 amid injury concerns and securing his retirement finances, his skipping the last contract year isn’t surprising, though questions remain about potential buyout or salary repayments. He remains an owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete: DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance. This suspension was less severe than the earlier lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership that had not been renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship ending the 2026 season. This timing positions Koepka well for a 2027 return under the PGA Tour’s revised schedule of around two dozen $20 million events with limited fields. Top PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also welcome his return. Jon Rahm recently predicted on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka will come back, likely playing at least some events he prefers, especially the majors. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold influence over suspension decisions and align with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: The news broke rapidly on Monday evening: Koepka is reinstated on the PGA Tour effective immediately 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 has also been confirmed. This was facilitated by a newly created \”Returning Member Program\” allowing select LIV players to return without suspension, acknowledging notable recent achievements like Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win.
The PGA Tour states this special pathway applies to major and Players champions from the past three years and expires on February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp clarified this is a one-time opportunity without precedent. This development may cause concerns among LIV Golf and players such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalties for his LIV participation are relatively mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year suspension from PGA Tour Enterprises’ equity programs.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed that he will compete again in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul