First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 season of the LIV Golf League, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but wants more time for his family. This was reportedly an amicable agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, many suspect otherwise. Koepka is a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, which he had limited opportunities for in LIV. He primarily joined LIV in 2022 due to injuries threatening to end his career, aiming to secure a comfortable retirement fund. The decision to forgo the final contracted season is therefore not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or repayment of guaranteed earnings. It’s also uncertain if the 35-year-old still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
The main speculation focuses on where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour could grant him immediate eligibility, potentially with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after lifetime bans were significantly softened. There is little incentive for revenge, as every LIV returnee benefits the stronger PGA Tour. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player after not renewing post-2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season ending at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a compressed schedule with about two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, highly competitive fields—perfect timing for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another major star joining the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in the podcast \”Subpar,\” saying, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or enters top events, he’ll play those too.\” There is a possibility the PGA Tour’s board, player representatives, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods could grant Koepka leniency on his suspension following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread quickly 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 was made possible by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, which allows selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s outstanding sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory as a fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated the