First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to play again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a mutually friendly decision, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitive type who gets highly motivated and energized by top-level competition, which was somewhat limited during his time in LIV. In 2022, he mainly switched to the Saudi-backed circuit because he feared his career might end due to injuries and wanted to secure a substantial retirement fund. Given that, it is not surprising he declined to play the last contracted season, although questions remain whether he had to pay out or refund part of his guaranteed salary. He remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will grace next. The DP World Tour would allow him immediate playing rights, perhaps subject to a fine. The PGA Tour, however, imposed a one-year suspension after his last LIV participation, albeit significantly reduced from the lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every notable LIV returnee ultimately benefits the more established PGA Tour? According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his membership with the PGA Tour after 2022 and rejoin the player pool.
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 then be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its compressed schedule of roughly two dozen $20 million events with limited, highly competitive fields—a perfect timing for his comeback and appealing to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or can participate in high-profile events, he would play those as well.\” Moreover, the five-time major champion may receive leniency from the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately.
Update: This has come true. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately reinstated as PGA Tour eligible and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
This was made possible by a newly created \”Returning Member Program\” rule from the previous Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.Koepka’s sporting merits were especially considered, notably his 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major.