First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to give it another go, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. But Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something LIV only partly provided. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries made him doubt the continuation of his career, and he wanted a solid retirement fund. His skipping the final contractually required season is thus not surprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does he remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation abounds about which fairways Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible immediately, likely with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following a softened lifetime ban originally imposed by commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every high-profile LIV returnee suits the PGA Tour, which holds the upper hand? This question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka submitted a formal application last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, to rejoin the playing field.
Update: \”Maybe they will turn a blind eye for a five-time major winner\” – and that is exactly what happened. News spread rapidly that Koepka is now immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open end of January at Torrey Pines. His entry for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed. This is made possible by a new ‘Returning Member Program’, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
A suspension would have ended in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship, August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its new schedule with nearly two dozen $20-million tournaments, featuring limited top fields — a perfect return timing, matching Koepka’s preferences. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a commercially strong name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably at least play minimum events, and why not the ones he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies for or gets invites to top events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the suspension committee led by Tiger Woods and tour officials will be lenient, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately. A majority of fans seem to agree, as shown by a non-representative poll by Bunkered magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026