First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7th in Riyadh. The five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known for his competitive spirit at the highest level, had limited motivation playing in LIV and had moved in 2022 partly due to injury concerns and the opportunity for a substantial retirement fund. Questions remain about the financial settlements and his ongoing ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which tour Koepka will join next — the DP World Tour where he would be eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following the relaxation of previously lifetime bans. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and return to competitive play.
An eventual suspension would run through August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season under the PGA Tour’s new calendar featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited fields, an ideal comeback timing. Top PGA Tour Enterprises investors would likely welcome such a marquee player.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that he believes Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing select big events and using his exemptions. The PGA Tour’s competition committee, led by Tiger Woods and supported by player directors, including Rory McIlroy who favors reinstating Koepka, may show leniency toward his suspension.
Update: It happened as expected. On Monday evening local time, news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. Participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the recently established ‘Returning Member Program,’ allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension, considering recent major victories including Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a unique opportunity ending February 2nd, not a precedent for the future, likely causing concern among other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalty for defecting to LIV Golf includes a $5 million donation to the PGA Tour charity, ineligibility for the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and exclusion from the capital investment program for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his return to the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season with his Crushers team including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri. He did not announce a contract extension, fueling speculation