First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level sporting challenges, which he lacked somewhat at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns about ending his career and to secure a solid retirement fund.
Speculation centers on where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he would need to serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance. However, the PGA Tour has softened lifetime bans previously imposed, welcoming returning LIV players—especially prominent ones—back onto their circuit. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, aligning with the 2026 season’s end at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, coinciding with the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20-million events with limited fields. This timing suits Koepka’s preferences and would appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new premier league.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka may need time but is likely to return to the PGA Tour, possibly playing minimum events or big tournaments he prefers. The player advisory board and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold influence over suspension decisions and have shown support for Koepka’s immediate return, as endorsed by Rory McIlroy.
Update: On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is now eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately, starting with the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This was enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule enacted last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting achievements, notably the 2023 PGA Championship victory, were key factors.
The PGA Tour states that the special provision applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time opportunity, not setting precedent for the future, which could concern players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, as well as LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is moderate: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s capital participation program.