First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back in action, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to the official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who is highly motivated and energized during top-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He had switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career end and to secure a solid retirement fund. His opting out of the final contractual season is thus unsurprising, though questions remain about buyout or repayment of guaranteed salary. He is reportedly still owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation now focuses on where Koepka will next compete—on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV start despite previous lifelong bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan being significantly softened. The PGA Tour benefits from allowing prominent LIV returnees, and now part of this question has been answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, requesting reinstatement as a player.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new condensed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields, an ideal comeback timing. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s backers, would welcome such a marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or can enter top events, he will play those too.\” It is possible that the PGA Tour may be lenient with the five-time major winner—players directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who has recommended Koepka’s immediate return, hold influence over suspension decisions.
Update: The news spread like wildfire Monday evening local time: Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new rule created last Thursday allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major, were considered.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major and Players winners from the last three years