First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season scheduled to start on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This friendly agreement is the official statement by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive player who gets highly motivated and fired up only in top-level contests, which was limited during his time at LIV. He switched to the Saudi-backed tour in 2022 mainly because injuries made him consider ending his career early while securing a comfortable retirement fund. Given this, his decision to skip the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as its captain?
Speculation abounds about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate eligibility — likely with a penalty — or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension imposed after his last LIV event once previously lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, benefits the power-holding PGA Tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022, to regain playing privileges.
His suspension would possibly end in August, aligning with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. This timing suits Koepka perfectly as the PGA Tour plans a condensed 2027 schedule of around two dozen $20 million events with selective, strong fields. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely managing the new top tier, would appreciate a star like Koepka joining them again.
\”He might need a little 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 the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies or gets invited to premium tournaments, he would play those, too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will show leniency for the five-time major winner. Besides the board, player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods influence suspensions — and Rory McIlroy recommended directly reinstating Koepka.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour; he is set to start at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, with participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona already confirmed.
This was made possible by a new rule named the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension.