First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed on amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests and has been less motivated with LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure his financial future before retiring. So skipping the last contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or partial refunds. The 35-year-old still owns LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation mounts about which tours Koepka will play on next. DP World Tour membership could be immediate, possibly with penalties, or a return to the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following reduced lifetime bans from former commissioner Jay Monahan. Allowing prominent LIV returnees benefits the longstanding dominant PGA Tour. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after 2022 and rejoin the players’ ranks.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season, which features a new schedule with about two dozen $20-million events and exclusive elite fields—an ideal comeback time. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome a star of Koepka’s caliber.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, maybe the big events he likes. If he qualifies for big tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence on suspensions, reportedly favoring Koepka’s swift return, with Rory McIlroy supporting immediate eligibility.
Update: It happened: 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. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
The new \”Returning Member Program\” was created last Thursday to allow selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship victory as a fifth major was key to this decision.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major and Players winners from the last three years and ends February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp said, \”This is a one-time, well-defined opportunity and not precedent for the future. Once this window closes, there’s no guarantee it will reopen.\” This development should give Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith cause for thought and raise concerns at LIV Golf.
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