First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back in action, Charley Hull coming soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which starts on February 7th in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeill’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who gets motivated and fired up during top-level competition, something he experienced only limitedly at LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns about ending his career early and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, although questions remain about any buyout or repayment of guaranteed money. Koepka remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch now appointed captain.
Speculations intensify about which tour Koepka will appear on next. On the DP World Tour, he would be immediately eligible to play, likely with a penalty. On the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV participation, reduced from a lifetime ban previously imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan, questions remain. Why be vindictive when allowing prominent LIV returnees benefits the PGA Tour, which holds more leverage? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to rejoin the player field.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season following the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new condensed schedule with about two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring the best limited fields. This is a perfect timing for Koepka’s return, suiting his preferences. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely the backers of the new top league, would surely welcome adding such a star name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, I’d say, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies or is eligible for high-profile tournaments, he would play those as well.\