First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns to compete, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but wants more family time. According to LIV CEO Scott McNeil, this was a friendly agreement. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives under high-level competition, was only moderately motivated at LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a comfortable retirement fund, so it’s not surprising he declined the final contractual season, though questions remain about buyouts or repayments. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, where Talor Gooch is the new captain.
Speculation is rife about Koepka’s future playing fields—whether the DP World Tour where he’d be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from last LIV participation. After mutual reductions on lifetime bans, a return to PGA seems plausible. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after not renewing post-2022.
An eventual suspension would conclude in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule with top-tier, limited-field $20 million events—a perfect comeback timing. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome a big name like Koepka. Jon Rahm said on the \”Subpar\” podcast he expects Koepka to return, perhaps playing minimum events initially but likely joining major tournaments as he qualifies. The decision-making involves the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, with Rory McIlroy recommending Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Koepka’s PGA Tour reinstatement was confirmed Monday evening. Eligible immediately, he plans to debut at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, and will also compete in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This is enabled by the recently established \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin PGA Tour without suspension, honoring recent major winners like Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stressed this is a unique opportunity expiring February 2, with no future precedent guaranteed. This impacts other LIV stars and unsettles the LIV Golf League. Koepka’s penalty is mild: a $5 million charity donation, 2026 FedEx Cup and five years exclusion from the PGA Tour’s equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Entry for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season with Crushers teammates Charles Howell III, Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri continuing unchanged into the fifth year. No general contract extension was announced. Behind-the-scenes developments remain speculative, especially with Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, Vijay Singh at 62 returns