First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns to PGA, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in top-level contests, something he lacked at LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns about ending his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain. Did he have to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed pay? Is the 35-year-old still an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculations arise about which tours Koepka will join next. The DP World Tour could immediately grant him playing rights, possibly with a penalty. On the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after the original lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why be vindictive when a high-profile LIV returnee benefits the PGA Tour, which holds greater influence? This question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his membership with the PGA Tour, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the playing field.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season and Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour launches its new schedule with about two dozen $20 million events featuring limited, top-ranked fields. This timing suits Koepka’s preferences and would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, the likely backers of the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or is invited to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient with a five-time major champion. Besides the board, player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods influence suspension decisions, with Rory McIlroy recommending Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour 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 is enabled by the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” which allows selected LIV players to reinstate PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were indeed considered, especially his 2023 PGA Championship, his fifth major.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the last three