First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, and Charley Hull heads to YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League season 2026, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type, highly motivated and fired-up only during top-level sporting challenges, something he experienced only to a limited extent at LIV. He switched in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns threatening his career end and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, his forfeiture of the contractually required last season is not surprising, although questions remain: Did he have to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations abound about where Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible – likely with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, after the lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were substantially softened? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one who already holds less leverage, benefits the longstanding dominant Tour? This critical question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally submitted an application last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to be reinstated as a player.
A possible suspension would expire in August. Though the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its compressed schedule of around two dozen $20 million events with highly curated limited fields – an ideal reentry timing fitting Koepka’s preferences. The investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backers of the new top league, would welcome another major star.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not play the events he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets in, he will also play those.\” Perhaps the Tour will grant leniency for a five-time major winner: the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee all have say, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka straight back in.
Update: It happened exactly so. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the World Championship Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is enabled by a new rule created last Thursday, named the \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sports