First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but wants more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil confirmed this amicable agreement. However, Koepka, known for his high motivation in top-level competition, showed less fire in LIV. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly due to injury concerns and to secure his retirement funds. His skipping the final contracted season raises questions: Did he pay a buyout or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old stay owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation grows about where Koepka will next play—DP World Tour, where he would have immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty? Or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, following a significant reduction of previously lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why retaliate when LIV returnees, especially high-profile ones, benefit the PGA Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership paused after 2022 and rejoin the playing field.
An expected suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring around twenty $20 million tournaments with limited, high-quality fields—the perfect time for his return and favorable for PGA Tour Enterprises investors who back the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently told the Subpar podcast, \”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum and why not play the tournaments he likes—the big ones. If he then qualifies for high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Possibly, the PGA and competition committee led by Tiger Woods will overlook Koepka’s suspension, especially following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
The \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule established last Thursday, enables select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his recent sporting merits, notably the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour’s statement says this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years, ending February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated, \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for the future. Once this door closes, there’s no guarantee it will reopen.\” This likely concerns Jon Rahm, Bryson