First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn for the 2026 LIV season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type, driven by high-level contests, something he lacked in LIV. He switched to Saudi in 2022 mainly because injuries threatened to end his career, aiming to secure decent retirement income. His skipping the final contract year raises questions: did he buy out or return part of his guaranteed money? Is he still owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now led by captain Talor Gooch?
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour grants immediate eligibility, possibly with penalties; the PGA Tour enforces a one-year suspension after his last LIV participation, softened from former lifetime bans by ex-Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when reinstating a high-profile LIV returnee benefits the dominant tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
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His suspension would end in August. Although the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a condensed calendar with nearly two dozen 20-million-dollar events featuring limited, elite fields – an ideal comeback scenario. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He may take some time but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gains entry to prominent events, he would play those too.\” The player board and Tiger Woods-led competition committee at Ponte Vedra might even be lenient with the five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: The news spread quickly Monday evening local time: Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at the end of January in Torrey Pines, with confirmed participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour statement clarifies that the special rule applies to major champions and Players winners from the past three years, with a deadline of