First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to give it another go, Charley Hull soon 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, was less motivated at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 largely due to injury concerns and to secure his retirement fund. Thus, skipping his final contracted season is not surprising, though questions linger, such as whether he had to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed paycheck, and if he remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds regarding where Koepka will play next — the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly for a penalty fee, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, since earlier lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been softened. Why hold grudges when returning LIV players benefit the well-established PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which ended in 2022, aiming to rejoin the player field.
An anticipated suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. This timing aligns perfectly for a 2027 PGA Tour comeback under its new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited and highly competitive fields. Top investor groups in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome such a marquee name. Jon Rahm recently said on the “Subpar” podcast, “He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour.” Rahm expects Koepka to play at least the minimum, including his favorite big events, and perhaps more once qualified. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee reportedly support easing Koepka’s return, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: The news spread rapidly Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed appearances at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This was enabled by a new “Returning Member Program” rule created last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major counted significantly toward this decision. The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, ending February 2, marking a one-time, clearly defined opportunity without precedence for future cases. This likely impacts Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, causing unease in LIV Golf circles. Koepka pays a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity funds, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and a five-year capital participation program with PGA Tour Enterprises investors as part of his penalty.