First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated the decision was amicably agreed upon. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injuries threatening to end his career prematurely, aiming to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season raises questions: Did he have to buy out or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does he remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation grows about where Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible—potentially with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when prominent LIV returnees benefit the long-established PGA Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after not renewing post-2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 PGA Tour season under a new schedule featuring roughly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—the ideal comeback timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors likely welcome another star name.
Jon Rahm recently remarked on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka may need time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, playing at least a minimum schedule focusing on major events. The Tiger Woods-led competition committee and player directors may overlook the suspension for the five-time major winner, especially following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to compete immediately.
Update: It happened just that way. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will play at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was enabled by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program,\” established last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent achievements, notably the 2023 PGA Championship win—the fifth major—factored into the decision.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years, expiring February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and does not set precedent for future cases,\” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This likely concerns Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, causing unease at LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for defecting to LIV is mild