First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returning too, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, was less motivated at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury issues threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary and if he still owns the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly paying a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans. The crucial question seems partially answered: according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule, featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, highly competitive fields—a perfect time for his return, aligning with his preferences. This would also please investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s operators, seeking a strong marquee player.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets into big events, he’d play those too.\” The player board, led by Tiger Woods, and the competition committee, alongside Rory McIlroy’s endorsement for Koepka’s immediate return, hold influence over suspensions. Likewise, a majority of fans support his return, according to a non-representative \”Bunkered\” magazine poll.
Update: It happened just like that: news spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible again to play on the PGA Tour, with confirmed participation at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. This is made possible by the newly introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in LIV Golf League 2026. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, remains unchanged entering its fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau hasn’t announced a general contract extension, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to