First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is making a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known for thriving in high-level competition, was less motivated at LIV events. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund, so skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyout details and whether he still owns his LIV team Smash GC, recently captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds where Koepka will play next — on the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, following a significant reduction in lifetime bans formerly imposed by ex-Commissioner Jay Monahan. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ ranks.
The suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 PGA Tour season with the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season, coinciding with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring roughly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited highly-ranked fields — a perfect timing for his return. This would also be welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors likely backing the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar,\” \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He would probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” There is talk of leniency due to Koepka’s five major wins, with the PGA Tour’s player directorate and Tiger Woods-led competition committee possibly following Rory McIlroy’s advice to allow Koepka to resume play immediately.
Update: It has come to pass. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and is set to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
This is made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” instituted the previous Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, including his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key factors.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major champions and Players Championship winners from the past three years, expiring February