First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was agreed on amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he lacked with LIV. He switched to the Saudi league in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. The waiver of his final contractual season raises questions about buyout or repayment. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch captain.
Speculation surrounds where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he’s immediately eligible likely paying fines, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension for LIV participation. This was softened from lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, aiming to rejoin the player pool.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a new schedule with about two dozen $20 million events featuring limited top fields—a perfect re-entry point. This move is also welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
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 likely play the minimum and the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies for or is invited to top events, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour’s competition committee, led by Tiger Woods and including player directors, may waive his suspension—Rory McIlroy advocates for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will play at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent 2023 PGA Championship win factored into this decision.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years and expires February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp stressed this is a one-time opportunity, not setting a precedent. It puts pressure on players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and unsettles the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalties for joining LIV are mild: a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a