First start at the Farmers Insurance Open; Vijay Singh returns; Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a fiercely competitive player, struggled to find motivation at LIV events and initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a strong retirement fund. Though he skipped the final contracted season, questions remain about possible buyouts and his ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next. He is eligible to play on the DP World Tour immediately, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year ban after his last LIV participation, following the easing of formerly lifetime bans. Journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022.
An August end to his potential suspension aligns with the conclusion of the 2026 PGA Tour season in late August. He would then be eligible for the new, highly competitive 2027 PGA Tour schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields, an ideal scenario fitting Koepka’s preferences. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would also welcome such a marquee return.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s PGA Tour comeback, suggesting he would likely play select preferred events, especially majors. With the PGA Tour’s governing board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee involved in suspension decisions, and with Rory McIlroy advocating for Koepka’s return, a potential easing of restrictions seems plausible.
Update: The news broke Monday that Koepka is immediately eligible for PGA Tour competition and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This was enabled by a new ‘Returning Member Program’ created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension based on recent major victories, including Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time opportunity ending February 2, setting no precedent for future cases, likely causing concern among LIV Golf and players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalties for LIV involvement include a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus pool, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s equity program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises’ investor funds.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Play for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed competing in the 2026 LIV Golf League season with his Crushers team alongside Charles Howell III,