First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He had switched in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and the desire to secure a solid retirement fund. His decision to forgo the final contractual season raises questions about buyouts or partial refund of guaranteed money. It is also unclear if he remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds regarding where Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible — possibly with a penalty? Or back on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, following the significant easing of previously imposed lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. It makes little sense to be vindictive when every high-profile LIV returnee benefits the more established tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed since 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. For 2027, Koepka would be eligible to compete under the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-ranked fields. This is the perfect timing for his comeback, fitting Koepka’s competitive nature. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would also welcome such a marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes — the big ones? If he qualifies for or gets invites to high-profile events, he would play those as well.\” There is speculation the PGA Tour might be lenient with the five-time major winner. Decisions on suspensions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee chaired by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: This is exactly what happened. On Monday evening local time, it spread like wildfire that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This was made possible by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, which allows selected LIV players to reinstate their PGA Tour membership without suspension.Koepka’s considerable sporting achievements, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his