First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on top-level competition, something he lacked in LIV. He originally joined the Saudi-backed league in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure his retirement financially. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does he still own his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation abounds about which tour Koepka will appear on next. DP World Tour eligibility is immediate, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV start, following a softened lifetime ban imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee benefits the long-established PGA Tour, which clearly holds the upper hand? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, previously not renewed after 2022, seeking readmission to the players’ circle.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, just as the PGA Tour implements a new compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, highly competitive fields — perfect timing for his return, fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely leading the new top league, would also welcome this star name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” recently said Jon Rahm on the Subpar podcast. \”He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he can qualify or participate in top events, he’d play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will show leniency to the five-time major champion — suspensions are decided not only by the board but also player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that 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. Participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed. This is enabled by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were recognized, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory as the fifth major.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies