First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for another shot, Charley Hull heading to YouTube soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for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’s official statement. Koepka, known as a competitive type motivated by top-level contests, had limited motivation for LIV events. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement payout. His skipping the last contractual season raises questions about potential buyouts or salary repayments. Koepka, 35, remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds about which fairways Koepka will next appear on: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after lifetime bans were significantly softened. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the more dominant tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season. Koepka could be eligible for the 2027 season when the PGA Tour launches a new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. This timing suits Koepka’s style, and investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka \”might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour.\” Rahm expects Koepka to play at least the minimum and the big tournaments he enjoys. The PGA Tour’s player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence over suspensions, and Rory McIlroy has advocated for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: The news spread rapidly Monday evening that Koepka is now eligible to compete on the PGA Tour immediately and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with his participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale also confirmed.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a rule created the previous Thursday allowing select LIV Golf players to restore membership without suspension, considering Koepka’s recent merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies only to major winners and Players Championship winners from the past three years with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasizes this opportunity is one-time with no guarantee it will reopen, which may impact other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka must donate five million dollars to the PGA Tour charity fund and is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system and the PGA Tour