First start at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh returns to PGA, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 season of the LIV Golf League starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to a friendly agreement as per LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive player who thrives in high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. Having switched to LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, his skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain about contract details and his ownership status of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations rise about Koepka’s next playing tour: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following the easing of lifetime bans originally imposed. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he did not renew after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, concurrently with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, ideally timed with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. This suits Koepka’s preferences and would appeal to investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, the new top league’s likely backers.
Jon Rahm recently noted in the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka might need time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing at least the minimum, including major events. The decision on Koepka’s suspension involves the PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, with Rory McIlroy endorsing Koepka’s immediate reinstatement.
Update: This has come to pass. On Monday evening local time, it spread rapidly that Koepka is eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately, with confirmed appearances at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open in Arizona.
This was enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program\”, which allows select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship victory as a major was a key factor considered.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp stressed this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity, not setting a precedent; once closed, the door might not reopen. This may influence other LIV players’ decisions and cause unease within LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for leaving LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to the PGA Tour charity fund, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from PGA Tour