First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back in action, Charley Hull soon launching her YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion stays connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a competitive player motivated by top-level contests, was less passionate about LIV golf. He initially joined LIV mainly due to injury concerns, seeking financial security in retirement. Questions remain whether he had to pay out part of his guaranteed salary and whether he remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour where he could play immediately, possibly facing fines, or the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, with lifetime bans eased by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.
Any suspension would end in August after the Tour Championship concludes the 2026 season. He’d be eligible for 2027 with the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—the perfect timing for Koepka’s return. Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast he believes Koepka will come back, likely playing big tournaments he likes. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-chaired competition committee, which includes Rory McIlroy who supports Koepka’s immediate return, have influence over the suspension.
Update: It is official: Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is made possible by the \”Returning Member Program\” introduced last Thursday that allows select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, considering Koepka’s recent achievements including the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said this is a one-time opportunity ending February 2, with no guarantee for future cases, causing concern among LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka must donate $5 million to the PGA Tour charity, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and five years from the PGA Tour Enterprises capital program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed that he will play in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His