First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants another shot, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a substantial retirement sum. His skipping the last contracted season raises questions, such as whether he had to buy out his contract or refund part of his guaranteed payout, and if he remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds where Koepka will next play: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly after a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV event after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans. Why hold grudges when LIV returnees, especially high-profile ones, benefit the more dominant PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, inactive since 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 PGA Tour season finale at the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields—the perfect timing for a comeback. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely backing the new elite league, would welcome such a high-profile name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the podcast \”Subpar.\” \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he can qualify or get invites to top events, he would play those too.\” It’s possible the PGA Tour will be lenient with the five-time major winner. Decisions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee headed by Tiger Woods, who endorses Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back 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 end of January in Torrey Pines. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
Enabled by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sports merits were considered, especially his 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major.