First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Yet Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, something he partially lacked with LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary. He remains owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound about where Koepka will next compete. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must sit out a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced the lifetime bans significantly? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the established tour with more star power? According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season and Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields, perfect timing for his comeback, aligning with his preferences. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome such a big name. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence Koepka will return, likely playing selectively in tournaments he prefers, especially the big events. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold influence over suspension decisions and have indicated support for Koepka’s immediate return following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation.
Update: That has indeed happened. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona is also confirmed.
This was made possible by the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win as a fifth major, were key factors in this decision.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship winners of the last three years, expiring February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp stressed this is a one-time, well-defined opportunity without precedent for future cases. The news should give Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith pause and cause unease within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to the PGA Tour