First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was confirmed amicably by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests and gets highly motivated. That aspect was somewhat lacking during his LIV stint. Koepka joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. It is therefore not surprising he skipped the final contractual season, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayment of guaranteed money. He is still owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations are rife about where Koepka will next compete. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty fee. The PGA Tour imposed a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance but has since softened lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Returning LIV players, especially a star like Koepka, are advantageous for the PGA Tour. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, 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, but Koepka would be eligible in 2027 under the new PGA Tour schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with exclusive fields. This timing suits Koepka’s preferences and is welcomed by tournament investors. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return, expecting him to play selected big events. The PGA Tour’s competition committee, led by Tiger Woods, along with player directors, may waive suspensions following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement. Fan polls also show majority support for Koepka’s reintegration.
Update: Koepka is now officially eligible to play on the PGA Tour immediately and will start at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open is also confirmed. This is enabled by the new \”Returning Member Program\” permitting select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will enter their fifth consecutive season. However, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain this prominent LIV player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
Surprise move: Vijay Singh, the three-time major champion from Fiji, is returning to the PGA Tour at age 62. Leveraging an exemption based on his career earnings rank, Singh will compete this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He has previously won