First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner stays connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who gets fired up by high-level tournaments, something he found limited in LIV. In 2022, he switched primarily due to injury concerns about ending his career, wanting to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about contract buyouts or repayments. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife on where Koepka will next appear – the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, which was notably softened from an originally lifetime ban imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why maintain grudges, as every LIV returnee benefits the longer-established tour? This question seems partially answered, as ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool after not renewing following 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s close at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields – an ideal comeback moment fitting Koepka’s style. This would also benefit PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely backing the new elite league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence Koepka will return, probably playing a minimum schedule focused on major events and high-profile tournaments, with the player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee potentially waiving suspensions, endorsing Rory McIlroy’s recommendation for a direct return.
Update: Koepka has been granted immediate PGA Tour eligibility and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open in Arizona. This is enabled by the newly introduced \”Returning Member Program\” allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension, acknowledging Koepka’s recent PGA Championship win.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity expiring on February 2, not setting a precedent. This development may concern other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalty includes a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start in 2026
Bryson DeCh