First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who is most motivated and fired up during high-level competition, which he felt was limited at LIV. Having switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, his decision not to play the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed contract. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will next appear on. The DP World Tour would immediately grant him playing privileges, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after the previous lifelong bans by Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. It makes no sense to be vindictive when any high-profile LIV returnee benefits the longer-established tour. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that was not extended after 2022 and to be reinstated into the players’ circle.
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Any potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season via the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 with the PGA Tour’s condensed schedule of around two dozen $20 million events featuring limited fields—perfect timing for a comeback. This move would also be well received by investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely backers of the new top league.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he can qualify or be invited, he would play those too.\” There may also be leniency extended to the five-time major champion by the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
This is made possible by a new regulation called the \”Returning Member Program\” created the previous Thursday,