First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull is coming to YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner plans to remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family, according to an amicable agreement stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known for thriving in highly competitive sports environments, has had a limited motivation in LIV Golf and initially joined in 2022 due to injuries and financial reasons, making his last contractual season waiver unsurprising, though questions remain about buyouts or repayments. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation swirls around which tours Koepka will play next: 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 post-LIV participation. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach confirmed Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership last Friday, aiming to return to the PGA Tour players’ circle.
An anticipated suspension would end by August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a condensed schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—the ideal timing for his comeback. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome such a high-profile player. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing select big events once he qualifies or gains entry, with the competition committee and player’s board, led by Tiger Woods, reportedly supportive of his return, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This has been enabled by a new rule called the \”Returning Member Program\” created last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s significant sporting achievements, including his 2023 PGA Championship win, were key factors.
The PGA Tour stated that this special rule applies to major winners and Players Champions from the last three years, ending on February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized that this is a unique opportunity and not a precedent for future cases, a fact likely concerning to some current LIV players.
Koepka’s penalties for joining LIV Golf are moderate: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from the PGA Tour’s capital participation program linked to PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his participation in the LIV Golf League for 2026. His team