First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants another shot, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competitor circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, a passion only limited during his LIV stint. He switched in 2022 mainly because injury made him doubt continuing and sought a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contract year is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyouts or guarantees. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about Koepka’s future fairways. He could play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly facing fines, or attempt PGA Tour return despite a one-year suspension for LIV participation. After eased lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan, a prominent LIV returnee like Koepka could benefit the PGA Tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership.
An existing suspension would end in August, coinciding with the season finale Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring near two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields, an ideal comeback moment. This would also boost PGA Tour Enterprises investors who back the top league. Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast he believes Koepka will return, at least playing select big tournaments. Rory McIlroy supports lifting Koepka’s ban outright, with Tiger Woods’ competition committee involved in such decisions.
Update: Koepka is now officially eligible immediately and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new PGA Tour rule allowing selected LIV players to rejoin without suspension, honoring recent major winners like Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp calls this a one-time, clearly defined opportunity ending February 2, with no guarantee of repetition. This may unsettle other LIV stars such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return in 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed participation in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri enters the fifth season unchanged. However, no general contract extension was announced, sparking speculation about negotiations behind the scenes to retain LIV’s prominent and marketable star after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returning to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62, utilizing a career money list exemption. The three-time major winner from Fiji will start this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii.