First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for another run, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to the official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something LIV did not fully fulfill. He switched in 2022 mainly due to injury doubts about his career and to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, although questions remain about buyout or guarantee repayment. He remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next — immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension applies following his last LIV event, although lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been reduced. Why hold grudges if returning LIV players strengthen the PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, left inactive after 2022.
A potential 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, when the PGA Tour launches a compact schedule of nearly two dozen $20M tournaments with limited elite fields, an ideal reentry moment true to his competitive style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he can qualify or get invites, he’ll play those too.\” The suspension decisions involve the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, which apparently follows Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It has happened: Tuesday evening, it spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible on the PGA Tour and will debut at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
The new \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allows select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. In Koepka’s case, his athletic merits, notably the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were recognized.
The PGA Tour statement says the special rule applies to major and Players winners from the last three years, expiring February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and sets no precedent,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This likely impacts Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith negatively and causes unease at LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for switching to LIV is mild: a $5 million donation