First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns to compete, Charley Hull launching her YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 affiliated with the competing circuit but requires more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a highly competitive player motivated by top-level contests, had limited enthusiasm at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about any buyout or payback of guaranteed earnings. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, recently captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation persists about where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible but possibly facing a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following a significant softening of previously lifetime bans implemented by ex-Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive if every LIV returnee, especially a star, benefits the stronger Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, seeking to rejoin the player pool.
Any suspension would expire in August. Though the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a new schedule featuring nearly twenty $20 million tournaments with limited, top fields—ideal timing for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would likely welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast \”Subpar\” that while Koepka might start slowly, he expects him to return to the PGA Tour, playing at least a minimum number of events including his favorite big tournaments. With the PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee involved, and Rory McIlroy supporting Koepka’s immediate return, the door seems open for the five-time major winner.
Update: It happened as predicted. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This was enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule introduced last Thursday allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win—his fifth major—were considered in this decision.
The PGA Tour stated this exception applies to major and Players Championship winners from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp noted this is a one-time opportunity and does not set a precedent. Once closed, no guarantee exists it will reopen, a fact likely causing concern among Jon Rahm, Bryson