First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh still eager, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to the LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a competitor motivated by high-level competition, had limited motivation in LIV and had switched in 2022 partly due to injury concerns and to secure retirement funds. Questions remain about contract buyouts and whether Koepka remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now led by Talor Gooch.
Speculation rises about where Koepka will play next: DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility likely requires a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension unless lifted. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after non-renewal post-2022.
Any suspension would expire in August 2026, aligning with the end of the PGA Tour season’s new, compressed schedule featuring almost two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields. Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar\” he believes Koepka will eventually return to the PGA Tour, playing at least the tournaments he likes, especially majors, supported by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation. The decision involves the PGA Tour board, player directors, and competition committee led by Tiger Woods.
Update: Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour starting with the Farmers Insurance Open in late January and will also compete at the WM Phoenix Open. This was made possible by the newly introduced \”Returning Member Program\” allowing select LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension, considering Koepka’s recent PGA Championship victory in 2023. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp called it a unique opportunity ending February 2, not setting precedent. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity and is excluded from 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses and five years from the PGA Tour Enterprises equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau confirmed his participation in the LIV Golf League in 2026 with his Crushers team continuing unchanged. However, no new general contract extension has been announced, fueling speculation on behind-the-scenes agreements to retain top LIV players after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62, leveraging an exemption due to his career earnings rank. He will start at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week, transitioning from the PGA Tour Champions where he has five wins, including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL TV Ratings Drop Without Tiger Woods
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