First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull goes YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly a mutual friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he lacked at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a lucrative retirement fund. His skipping the final contractual season is thus not surprising, although questions remain about possible buyouts or paybacks. Koepka remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will play next—whether on the DP World Tour where he would be eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans. This question has been partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ ranks.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season premiere Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season featuring a new schedule with around two dozen $20 million tournaments and selective elite fields—the perfect comeback timing according to him. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely hosting the top league, would welcome his return.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, ‘He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum and probably the big events he likes. If he qualifies for high-profile tournaments, he would play those.’ There might be leniency for the five-time major winner, with Tiger Woods’ competition committee and player directors, influenced by Rory McIlroy who supports Koepka’s immediate return, having a say.
Update: It has come to pass. Monday evening local time, news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open end of January in Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona is confirmed.
This is enabled by the recently introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ rule permitting select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were considered.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp said, ‘This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and not a precedent for future cases. Once this door closes, all bets are off.’ This will concern players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and cause unease in LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for crossing to LIV is mild: a $5 million charity donation,