First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement, according to an official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, something he lacked in LIV. He initially switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns about ending his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Therefore, his opting out of the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and his ownership in the LIV team Smash GC, where Talor Gooch is now captain.
Speculations abound about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. DP World Tour would immediately grant him playing rights, likely with a penalty. On the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why stay vengeful if every LIV returnee benefits the PGA Tour, which holds the leverage? This key question seems partially answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that was not renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, aligning with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-player fields—a perfect comeback moment suited to Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would appreciate another major star joining the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the “Subpar” podcast. \”He will probably at least play the minimum and the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies for high-profile events or gets invites, he will play those too.\” And perhaps the PGA Tour will overlook the suspension for the five-time major winner—both the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have a say, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: Just as expected, news spread quickly Monday evening local time that Koepka is reinstated and eligible to play immediately on the PGA Tour, teeing up at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This was enabled by the newly created ” , “Returning Member Program” : “, implemented last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to