First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine news.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a fierce competitor who thrives on top-level contests, showed limited motivation in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and seeking a secure retirement fund, his waiver of the final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyout terms and ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation runs on where Koepka will play next: DP World Tour where he is immediately eligible, perhaps with penalties, or PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, though lifelong bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been softened. Embracing returning LIV players benefits the PGA Tour’s leverage. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership suspended after 2022, seeking reentry into the player pool.
An assumed suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be fully eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, premium fields — an ideal reentry timing for him. This would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s backers.
Jon Rahm recently noted on the \”Subpar\” podcast, ‘He might need some time, but I believe Koepka will return to the PGA Tour.’ Rahm expects Koepka to play minimum events initially, focusing on major tournaments he enjoys. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, influenced by Rory McIlroy’s endorsement, may waive his suspension.
Update: It happened as anticipated: Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines, with Phoenix Open appearance confirmed. This was enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension, recognizing recent major achievements including Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp described this as a one-time, defined opportunity ending February 2, cautioning no future precedent. This decision unsettles fellow LIV players Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith. Koepka’s penalties include a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses, and a five-year ban from PGA Tour equity programs.
DeChambeau Confirms 2026 LIV Season Participation
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his continued participation in the LIV Golf League for 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will contest their fifth