First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found somewhat limited at LIV. He had switched to LIV in 2022, fearing injury might end his career prematurely, and sought a substantial retirement fund. Therefore, skipping his final contract year is unsurprising although questions remain about financial settlements and his ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about which tours Koepka will join next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, possibly with penalties, while the PGA Tour requires a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, recently reduced from an initial lifetime ban. Notably, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, seeking reinstatement to the players’ pool, as reported by ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka could compete in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited, highly competitive fields—an ideal comeback time suiting Koepka’s style and pleasing investors involved with PGA Tour Enterprises.
Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism on the ‘Subpar’ podcast: \”He may need time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll likely play at least the minimum and favorite big events. If he qualifies or gets invites to top tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” Given Koepka’s status, the PGA Tour leadership, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led Competition Committee are considering easing his suspension in line with Rory McIlroy’s supportive recommendation.
Update: It has happened: On Monday evening local time, news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
The new ‘Returning Member Program’, established last Thursday, enables select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, considering recent major wins like Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship.
The PGA Tour statement noted this special provision only applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity without precedent. This development likely unsettles players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, as well as LIV Golf League officials.
Koepka’s penalties are lenient: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s equity investment program.