First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He switched in 2022 to the Saudi setup mainly due to injury concerns about his career and to secure a good retirement fund. His skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or salary repayments. Despite this, he remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, recently appointing Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is buzzing about which tour Koepka will join next. On the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately, probably with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance after Jay Monahan’s initial lifetime bans were softened? Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a star, benefits the dominant tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, aiming to rejoin the player ranks after not extending post-2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new scheduling with nearly two dozen $20 million events featuring limited strongest fields — perfect timing for his comeback and appealing for PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors backing the new top league.
“He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,” Jon Rahm said recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. “He’ll likely play at least the minimum, why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for high-profile events or can enter them, he’ll play those too.” Perhaps the five-time major winner will get some leniency at Ponte Vedra Beach — the decision on suspension includes board members, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, with Rory McIlroy recommending Koepka’s prompt return.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, starting with the Farmers Insurance Open end of January at Torrey Pines. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, has also been confirmed.
This is made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule introduced last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major, were taken into consideration.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners of the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. “This is a one-time,