First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh still eager, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 largely because of injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, his choice to forgo the final contracted season is understandable, though questions remain about contract buyouts and ownership stakes in his LIV Smash GC team led by new captain Talor Gooch.
There is much speculation about where Koepka will compete next — whether on the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible immediately possibly after a penalty payment, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were significantly eased. This key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to rejoin the players’ roster.
The suspension would end in August, coinciding roughly with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields, an ideal time for a comeback appealing to Koepka’s tastes. This return would also please investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, which likely backs the new top-tier league.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invited to marquee events, he would play those too.\” It is possible the PGA Tour might be lenient with a five-time major winner, with the player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods having influence over the suspension, reportedly following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: As it happened, on 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 at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
This was enabled by a new rule created last Thursday named the \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sports achievements, including his 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour statement says the special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years. The deadline is February 2