First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returning, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner stays connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level sport, which he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns threatening his career and sought a solid retirement fund. Hence, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions linger about any buyout or salary return and whether he remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will next compete – on the DP World Tour, where he’d be immediately eligible possibly after a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after previous lifetime bans were significantly softened. It now appears part of that mystery is solved. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and be reinstated as a player.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season after the Tour Championship from August 27-30. This timing positions Koepka for eligibility in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top fields – a perfect moment for Koepka’s comeback and appealing to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely backing the new elite league.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” recent \”Subpar\” podcast guest Jon Rahm said. \”He will probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or gets into top tournaments, he would play those as well.\” It’s possible the PGA Tour, including player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, might waive the suspension for the five-time major champ following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, it spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour again 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 is made possible by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday that allows selected LIV players to reinstate PGA Tour memberships without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were considered, especially his 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship winners of the last three years with a deadline on February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rol