First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season commencing February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something LIV only partially provided. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injuries making him consider early retirement and to secure a good retirement fund. Hence, it is not surprising he waived his final contracted season, although questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed pay. He also remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations abound about which tour Koepka will join next. He could be eligible to play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV participation after former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans significantly. Why be vindictive when every prominent LIV returnee benefits the PGA Tour? This crucial question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a new condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with more exclusive fields. The perfect time for a comeback, aligning with Koepka’s preferences. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, expected to operate the new top league, would welcome such a high-profile name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, I would say, and why not the events he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets invited to high-profile tournaments, he will play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will overlook the suspension for the five-time major champion, with influence from the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods—also following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately.
Update: Exactly so. On Monday evening local time, news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is made possible by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, which allows selected LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were recognized, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major