First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to return, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, many question the true reasons. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found lacking at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns about ending his career early and to secure a solid retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain whether he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed pay. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations are rampant about where Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the PGA Tour’s leverage? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the players’ circle.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited fields—an ideal comeback timing suiting his style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely backing the new top league, will welcome another big name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for high-profile events or can enter, he will play those.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will overlook some suspension issues for a five-time major winner. Besides the board, the players’ directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have a say—following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately.
Update: It has happened. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly 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 the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule created last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour