First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out for the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but requires more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, which the LIV format has somewhat limited. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mostly for financial security following injuries threatening his career, so skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions about payouts and team ownership linger.
Speculation abounds about which tour fairways Koepka will next appear on: the DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility may come with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV participation. The permanent bans initially imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have now been softened. The critical question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ roster.
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His suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields — ideal timing for a comeback. This move also pleases investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, the potential top-tier league’s financial backers, who welcome Koepka’s star power.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return, expecting him to play selectively in major tournaments. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee—including Rory McIlroy’s support—may ease his suspension terms, given Koepka’s major-winning merit.
Update: Koepka is now eligible to compete on the PGA Tour immediately, planning to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January and the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule allowing certain LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension, considering Koepka’s major achievements, including the 2023 PGA Championship.
The PGA Tour stated this program is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity expiring February 2, with no future guarantees, affecting other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, causing unease in the LIV Golf League. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity funds and is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and a five-year capital participation program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises.
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