First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh returning too, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to stay connected to the competing circuit but wants more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitive type who thrives in high-level contests, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 largely due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. His decision to skip the final contractual season is therefore not surprising, although questions remain, such as whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary. It is also uncertain if the 35-year-old remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Mainly, speculation centers on where Koepka will next compete. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance after lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why harbor grudges when every returning LIV player, especially a high-profile one like Koepka, helps the superior PGA Tour? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday, Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated into the playing group.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. However, Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027, when the PGA Tour plans to introduce its condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, highly competitive fields. This timing suits Koepka perfectly, and the investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, the likely host of the new top league, would surely welcome such a marquee name.
“He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,” said Jon Rahm recently in the \”Subpar\” podcast. “He will probably at least play the minimum, I’d say, and why not play the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites to high-profile events, he would play those too.” Perhaps the PGA Tour—where Tiger Woods heads the competition committee—might show leniency toward the five-time major winner, especially following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: This has indeed happened. 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 at Torrey Pines at the end of January. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is already confirmed.
This is enabled by the newly created “Returning Member Program,” established last Thursday, which allows selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. In