First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns ending his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. It’s not surprising he skips the last contractual season, though questions linger—did he buy out of the contract or return part of the guaranteed money? Is he still owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch captain?
Speculation swirls about which tours Koepka will next appear on. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after life bans were softened. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player helps the longer-established tour? This question partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, seeking re-entry.
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A potential suspension expires in August, by which the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 with the PGA Tour’s new schedule compressing nearly two dozen $20 million events featuring limited, top-tier fields—ideal timing for his return and attractive to PGA Tour Enterprises investors who back the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the events he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets invites to top events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient for a five-time major champ, with input from the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Ko