First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time.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 amicable agreement was announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, something he lacked in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 largely because of injuries threatening his career and the opportunity to secure a retirement fund. His decision to skip the final contract year is therefore unsurprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of the guaranteed fee. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation swirls on which tours Koepka will next play: the DP World Tour where he could be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, after previous lifetime bans were softened. This critical question seems partly answered as ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, seeking reentry to the players’ circle.
An eventual suspension would end in August, concurrent with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited, well-stacked fields — an ideal comeback timing. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backers of the new top league, would welcome another big name like Koepka.
“He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,” said Jon Rahm recently on the podcast “Subpar.” “He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not play the events he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies for or is invited to other marquee events, he’ll play those too.” Perhaps the PGA Tour will show leniency for the five-time major champion; decisions on suspensions involve not only the board but also player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods — with Rory McIlroy advocating Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: As it happened, by 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 in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by a new regulation called the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were carefully considered, especially his 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major champions and Players winners from the last three