First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has formally withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion intends to remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This amicable agreement comes from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, a competitive spirit who thrives in high-level competition, had limited motivation in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns ending his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year is unsurprising though questions remain regarding settlements or ownership status of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds which fairways Koepka will compete on next: the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event after previous lifetime bans were softened. Recently, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the players’ circle.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s close at the Tour Championship. For 2027, Koepka could be fully eligible as the PGA Tour adopts its revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields — the perfect timing for his return and appealing to PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new league.
Jon Rahm expressed optimism on the \”Subpar\” podcast, suggesting Koepka would need time but likely return to the PGA Tour, probably playing minimally and focusing on majors and big events. The PGA Tour’s decision-making body, including player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, may follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened: Koepka regained PGA Tour eligibility Monday evening local time and is set to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines, with participation confirmed at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. This was made possible by the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, recognizing merits like Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players winners within the past three years and expires February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity with no guarantee of recurrence, potentially impacting players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, while unsettling LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for switching to LIV is mild: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour equity program funded by investor contributions.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026