First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull planning a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, set to begin on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to an amicable agreement stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a fierce competitor motivated by high-level competition, had limited enthusiasm in LIV. In 2022, he primarily joined LIV due to injury concerns and the desire to secure substantial retirement money. Therefore, skipping his last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed earnings. It’s also uncertain if the 35-year-old remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next — the DP World Tour, where he would likely be eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty; or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV events, after previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, strengthens the more established PGA Tour? This crucial question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to rejoin the player pool.
Update: It happened just as expected. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by a new rule created last Thursday called the \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s case considered his sporting merits, notably the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major win.
The PGA Tour stated this exemption applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years and expires on February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set a precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This move is expected to make Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith consider their positions and cause some unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is relatively mild. He must donate five million dollars to a PGA Tour charity fund and will be excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system and for five years from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program supported by investor funds.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His team, the Crushers, with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will enter their