First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is making a comeback, and Charley Hull heads to 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, known as a fierce competitor especially at the highest level, had limited motivation in LIV. After joining LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and seeking a solid retirement fund, his skipping the last contracted playing year raises questions: Did he have to buy out his contract or repay a portion? Does he remain an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch the new captain?
Speculation surrounds which tours Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour could grant him immediate playing rights, possibly with sanctions. The PGA Tour has a one-year suspension for Koepka since his last LIV event, though previous lifetime bans were greatly reduced. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed post-2022, aiming to rejoin the playing ranks.
An eventual suspension would end in August, in time for PGA Tour’s 2027 season featuring a condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields – an ideal return timing for Koepka. Jon Rahm recently indicated on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka likely will return, starting with tournaments he prefers and major events if qualified. Given his five major titles, PGA Tour leadership including players’ directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, influenced by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, may waive sanctions.
Update: On Monday evening local time, news broke that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines, with Phoenix Open attendance confirmed as well.
This is enabled by a new regulation called the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, with Koepka’s notable PGA Championship 2023 performance considered.
The PGA Tour states the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the past three years, expiring February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp called this a one-time opportunity, not setting precedent.
Koepka’s penalty includes a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and five-year ban from PGA Tour capital programs.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continues into their fifth season. Interestingly, no general contract extension was announced, fueling speculation on behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s highest-profile player after Koepka’s exit.