First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated the decision was amicably agreed upon. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level contests, which he lacked in LIV. His 2022 move to the Saudi circuit was primarily because he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted a solid retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about financial arrangements and whether he retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations rise about where Koepka will compete next — DP World Tour where he becomes eligible immediately, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, following lifetime bans being softened. This critical question now has an answer; according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that lapsed after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship concluding the 2026 season from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited top fields, an ideal comeback timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would likely welcome such a marquee name. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka will return, at least playing selective big events. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, could waive or reduce suspensions. Fans seem to support this, according to a poll by ‘Bunkered’ magazine.
Update: \”And perhaps an eye will be turned for a five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\” — it happened. News spread that Koepka is immediately reinstated on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. This became possible through the newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing select LIV players return without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continues into the fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, leading to speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s most marketable star after Ko