First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh also aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which was limited in LIV. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly due to injury-related career concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. So, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or penalties. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation arises about which fairways Koepka will play on next — the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension has been applied since his last LIV appearance, though previous lifelong bans have been softened. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the stronger PGA Tour? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed post-2022, seeking reinstatement to the players’ circle.
Any suspension would end in August. Although the 2026 season finishes with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30, Koepka would be eligible in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with elite limited fields. This timing suits Koepka perfectly and would also please investors from PGA Tour Enterprises, likely heading the new top league, as they would gain another attractive name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, the big events he likes. If he qualifies or can enter high-profile tournaments, he would play those as well.\” Perhaps the five-time major winner will get leniency in Ponte Vedra Beach — the suspension decision involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who favors Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and is set to 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 in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by a new rule named \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. In Koep