First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to play again, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil gave this as the official statement. Koepka is known as a competitive type who gets fired up by high-level contests, something LIV did not fully ignite. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career end and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or repay part of the guaranteed money? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next play. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility—likely with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV event. The multi-year lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been softened considerably. There is little reason for vengeance when prominent LIV returnees strengthen the long-dominant tours. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, shortly before the season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27–30, making Koepka eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. A perfect time for his preferred comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league would surely welcome such a star.
Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he can qualify or get into big events, he’ll play those too.\” The competition committee led by Tiger Woods, player directors, and the board hold a say on suspensions and seem inclined to follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately.
Update: The news broke that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, with the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale also confirmed. This became possible via the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule introduced last Thursday allowing select LIV players membership reinstatement without suspension. Koepka’s major achievements, notably the 2023 PGA Championship, were considered. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity that does not set a precedent. The deadline is February 2. This likely causes concern among Jon Rahm, Bryson DeCh