First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated they mutually agreed on this. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, something he found somewhat lacking at LIV. Originally switching to LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure retirement funds, his skipping the final contractual season raises questions about buyout or salary repayments. He remains owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, now led by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows on which fairways Koepka will play next: DP World Tour, where he could play immediately likely with a penalty? Or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following the reduction of previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Returning to PGA Tour benefits both Koepka and the Tour, especially with the new compressed schedule of high-profile $20 million events planned for 2027. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership which was not renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, aligning with the conclusion of the 2026 season. Jon Rahm recently expressed optimism on the ‘Subpar’ podcast about Koepka’s return, predicting he might play selectively at major events. The PGA Tour’s player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, seem poised to allow Koepka back sooner rather than later.
Update: The news spread rapidly Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour, with confirmed participation at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
This was enabled by the newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension. Koepka’s status as a 2023 PGA Championship winner was a key merit in this decision. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp described this as a unique opportunity valid until February 2, emphasizing it is not precedent for future cases. This development could influence other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and signals tension for the LIV Golf League.
As part of his reinstatement terms, Koepka must donate $5 million to the PGA Tour charity fund and is excluded from 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses and the five-year capital distribution program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Participation for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his intent to compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will return for their fifth season. However, no general contract extension has been announced, sparking speculation on behind-the-scenes negotiations after Koepka’s departure