First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, and Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel. The Back Nine news update.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion will remain connected to LIV but is taking more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Known as a highly competitive player who thrives in top-level competition, Koepka’s motivation seemed limited in LIV, where he signed in 2022 anticipating an early career end due to injury while securing a retirement fund. Questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or refund guarantees, and if he remains an owner of LIV’s Smash GC team captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows on where Koepka will next compete: the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance. After lifelong bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were softened, prominent LIV returnees benefit the PGA Tour. Recent reports by ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reveal Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, not renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, perfectly timed with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring limited fields and around two dozen $20 million tournaments — an ideal return for the Floridian. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee presence. Jon Rahm expressed confidence in Koepka’s return, expecting him to play minimum events initially, then major tournaments he prefers, with tournament directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee likely to support reinstatement following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: News spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour, debuting at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with confirmed entry for the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale. This was made possible through the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new PGA Tour rule allowing select LIV players to rejoin without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially the 2023 PGA Championship victory, were key factors.
The PGA Tour states the program applies to major and Players winners from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a unique opportunity, not a precedent. This development may concern other LIV players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith. Koepka’s penalty includes a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus, and a five-year ban from PGA Tour capital programs tied to PGA Tour Enterprises.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri enters its fifth season unchanged. However, no general contract extension has been announced, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain this