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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a fierce competitor who thrives on high-level competition, had limited motivation in LIV and originally joined in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a lucrative retirement fund. While questions remain about buyouts or guarantees, Koepka remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will next play—immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, which might require a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance. However, former lifetime bans were softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership and be readmitted to the player pool.
An anticipated suspension would lapse in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. This timing aligns with Koepka’s preference for reentry in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. His return would also please PGA Tour Enterprises investors. Jon Rahm recently expressed on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka may take time but is expected to return, playing selectively the tournaments he prefers, especially majors. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence on suspensions, reportedly favoring Koepka’s return following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: The news quickly spread Monday evening that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour, with confirmed starts at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. A newly created ‘Returning Member Program’ allows select LIV players to regain Tour membership without suspension, recognizing Koepka’s recent PGA Championship 2023 victory as a major. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity expiring February 2, not setting precedent, which unsettles some LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and barred from capital participation for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf 2026 Return
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026 with his Crushers team unchanged, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, marking their fifth season. No general contract extension was announced, sparking speculation on behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain LIV’s most marketable star post-Koepka.