First start already at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the LIV Golf League season 2026 starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This friendly agreement was the official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only by top-level sporting challenges, which he only somewhat found in LIV. He initially switched to Saudi in 2022 because he feared his career might end prematurely due to injury and wanted to secure a substantial retirement fund. Against this background, his waiver of the last contractually required playing season is not surprising, although some questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or return a part of the guaranteed payout? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations abound about where Koepka will next play. At the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—perhaps with a penalty payment? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV participation, following the downgrading of previously lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a notable one, is an advantage to the tour that already holds the stronger position? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to be readmitted to the player roster.
Any suspension would expire in August. Although the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new condensed schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, top-tier fields. The perfect moment for a comeback, just to Koepka’s liking. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backers of the new top league, would surely welcome another strong name.
\”He may need some time, but I believe he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, I’d say, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he can then qualify or participate in high-profile tournaments, he would play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will turn a blind eye to the five-time major champion in Ponte Vedra Beach—besides the board, player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have a say in suspension matters, and Rory McIlroy has recommended immediate reinstatement of Koepka.
Update: Exactly so. On Monday evening local time, the news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible