First start already at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh returns at 62, and Charley Hull launches her own YouTube channel. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed on amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level battles, which was only partly the case in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 facing career-threatening injuries and sought a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain whether he had to buy out or refund part of his guaranteed pay. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch appointed as captain.
Speculations abound about where Koepka will play next – the DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility might come at a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension is in place since his last LIV appearance, following severe reductions of prior lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when returning LIV players, especially big names, benefit the dominant Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool.
Any suspension would expire in August. Though the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a condensed schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields—an ideal comeback moment. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome such a marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time but I think he’ll come back to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or gets into the big events, he’ll play those too.\” Possibly, Koepka might get leniency on his suspension from the PGA Tour board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, supporting Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: It happened: Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to resume PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour states the provision applies to