First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh returns; Charley Hull launching 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. That was the amicable agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, something LIV only somewhat provided. He switched to the Saudi-backed tour in 2022 mostly because injuries made him consider ending his career, aiming to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed paycheck, and whether he remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations are rife about which tours Koepka will next play on. DP World Tour would grant him immediate playing rights, presumably with a penalty fee. The PGA Tour, where he would need to serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after previous lifetime bans were softened, is also a possibility. Why hold grudges when welcoming LIV returnees, especially prominent ones, benefits the stronger PGA Tour? This key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which ended in 2022, seeking reinstatement as a player.
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Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under PGA Tour’s compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited top-tier fields – perfect timing for a comeback in Koepka’s style. This would also appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors likely backing this top league.
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 at least play the minimum and why not the events he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies or is invited to top events, he’ll play those too.\” Moreover, a majority of fans seem supportive of Koepka’s return without suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation and the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods–led competition committee’s influence. A non-representative poll by \”Bunkered\” magazine corroborates this view.
Update: \”And perhaps a five-time major winner gets a pass in Ponte Vedra Beach\” — exactly that happened. The news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately reinstated on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. His