First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to give it another go, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly due to injury concerns about ending his career and securing a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or return part of the guaranteed money. He remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations abound where Koepka will compete next: on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty fee? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV start, after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened the lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when any prominent LIV returnee strengthens the PGA Tour? This question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to be reinstated as a player.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, where the PGA Tour will feature nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields. The perfect timing for his return, fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely the new top league’s backers, would welcome another big name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, maybe the big tournaments he likes. If he can qualify or get invites, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour, including the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, will overlook the suspension for the five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s suggestion to allow Koepka to play immediately. This view seems shared by many fans, according to a non-representative \”Bunkered\” magazine poll.
Update: It turned out as speculated: news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open end of January in Torrey Pines. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. This was enabled by a newly introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His