First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn for the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries threatened his career end and he wanted to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or paybacks. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play 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 from his last LIV event, now reduced from a lifetime ban by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when each LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the Tour holding the upper hand? This key question seems partly answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after 2022 and be reinstated as a player.
The potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of roughly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields—a perfect comeback moment fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marketable name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not play the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets into high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” There’s speculation PGA Tour might be lenient with the five-time major winner — alongside the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee influence suspensions, and Rory McIlroy recommends allowing Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Koepka is now 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 WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
The new ‘Returning Member Program’ launched last Thursday enables selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players champions from the past three years and expires