First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, and Charley Hull launches a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but emphasized needing more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, known for thriving in high-level competition, had mixed success at LIV since switching in 2022, primarily motivated by injury concerns and securing his retirement funds. Questions remain about contract buyouts and his ongoing ownership of LIV’s Smash GC team captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds which tour Koepka will next compete on: the DP World Tour where he is eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance. Former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans have been significantly softened. Koepka recently formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, aiming for reinstatement.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. With the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments and limited top-tier fields starting in 2027, the timing suits Koepka’s preferred comeback. This move is also welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors seeking prominent players.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence Koepka will return, potentially playing selective high-profile events. The PGA Tour player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, alongside Rory McIlroy’s endorsement, are expected to influence any penalty decisions favorably.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will debut at the Farmers Insurance Open in January at Torrey Pines, with participation at the WM Phoenix Open confirmed. This is enabled by the newly created “Returning Member Program” allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour status without suspension, honoring recent major winners like Koepka for his 2023 PGA Championship victory.
The PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stressed this unique opportunity ends February 2 and is non-precedential. Koepka must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity, will be excluded from 2026 FedEx Cup bonus structures, and barred from PGA Tour Enterprises’ investment program for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms 2026 LIV Return
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed participation in LIV Golf for 2026 with his Crushers team intact. No general contract extension was announced, leaving room for speculation behind the scenes following Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh, 62, Returns to PGA Tour
Surprise news as three-time major winner Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62, utilizing the career money list exemption. He will compete at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week. Singh has won five titles on the PGA Tour Champions, including the Senior Players Championship.
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