First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to play again, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League season 2026, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor motivated by top-level challenges, something he rarely found at LIV. In 2022, he mainly joined LIV because injuries had threatened his career, aiming to secure a substantial retirement fund. Given this, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain. Has he bought out his contract or returned part of his guaranteed fee? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch captain?
Speculation abounds regarding which tours Koepka will appear on next. Possibly the DP World Tour, where he would be instantly eligible—likely with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after the lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan were reduced. There is little incentive to be vindictive if notable LIV returnees favor the longer-established tour. This key question appears 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 be readmitted to the players’ ranks.
His potential suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with elite, limited fields—the perfect comeback timing for Koepka. PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing this top-tier league would surely welcome another major name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play a minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies for or gets into high-profile events, he’d play those too.\” It remains to be seen if the PGA Tour, including the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee (who follow Rory McIlroy’s push to have Koepka play immediately), might show leniency to the five-time major champion.
Update: It happened as rumored. On Monday evening local time, news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible again for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, has also been confirmed.