First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He primarily joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns impacting his career and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Given this context, his waiver of the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about any buyout or repayment of guaranteed money. He still owns the LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife on which tours Koepka will join next—DP World Tour, where he’s immediately eligible, possibly subject to a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he served a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, due to previously reduced lifetime bans from former Commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when LIV returnees strengthen the already dominant PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not continued after 2022.
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Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding roughly with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields—the perfect timing for his return, fitting Koepka’s competitive nature. PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors would surely welcome another star name.
\”He might need a bit of time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, focusing on tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or receives invites to marquee events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour’s decision-makers, including the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, will overlook Koepka’s suspension, especially following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately.
Update: It happened just as expected. On Monday night local time, news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible to play in the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s impressive sporting achievements, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were taken into account.