First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion intends to stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition but showed limited motivation at LIV. Originally joining LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a lucrative retirement fund, his skipping the last contracted season is not surprising though questions remain about buyouts or repayment of guaranteed fees. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which tour Koepka will compete on next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, while the PGA Tour requires serving a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, a penalty reduced from a lifetime ban by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, benefits the PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, when the PGA introduces a new schedule concentrating nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, elite fields — an ideal comeback fit for Koepka’s taste. This move would also greatly appeal to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backers of the new top league, adding a marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play the minimum, hitting the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies for top events, he’ll likely compete there too.\” Moreover, the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee might be lenient on Koepka’s suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately.
Update: This is exactly what happened. On Monday evening local time, it spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the ‘Returning Member Program’, a new rule created last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his sporting merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship as a fifth major title,