First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting Feb 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but wants more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he lacked at LIV, and it’s believed he joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure financial stability for retirement. Questions remain whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed fee, and whether he remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete. He could play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or return to the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans significantly. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
His potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a compressed schedule with about two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited elite fields — an ideal time for his comeback, which suits his competitive nature. This return would also be welcomed by investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s backers, eager for high-profile players.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He might need 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 is invited to top events, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have influence over suspensions and reportedly support Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately.
Update: It has happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will start at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
The \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allows selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting achievements, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win, were considered in his case.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major and Players champions from the past three years, ending February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp said, \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity, with no precedent for future cases. Once this door closes, no guarantee it will reopen.\” This will likely concern Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and cause unease in LIV Golf.