First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants another shot, Charley Hull heading to YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeill. Koepka, a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, was less motivated at LIV, having joined in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or salary repayments. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation surrounds where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV event applies, albeit significantly reduced from original lifetime bans. The key question—why hold grudges when every prominent LIV returnee favors the more powerful PGA Tour—may be partly settled. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after not renewing post-2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season; Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new, condensed schedule with about two dozen $20 million tournaments and limited elite fields—the ideal comeback timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also welcome his return. Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might take some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or gets invites, he’ll play those too.\” There’s a chance Koepka’s suspension might be waived by the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement for Koepka to play immediately.
Update: That is exactly what happened. News quickly spread Monday evening local time that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and is set to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is already confirmed.
This is enabled by a new rule called the “Returning Member Program” created the previous Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour states this special exemption applies to major and Players champions from the past three years and expires on February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. \”Once this door closes, there is no guarantee it will open again.\” This likely concerns players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeCh