First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner stays connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Yet Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement payout. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain if he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed pay. Koepka, 35, remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year ban since his last LIV event, following a relaxation of the lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player benefits the dominant PGA Tour? This question seems partly answered as ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s end at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new streamlined schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields, a perfect reentry time. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another major name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka might need time but would return to the PGA Tour, likely playing minimum events and favorites, including majors. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee (who may follow Rory McIlroy’s suggestion to let Koepka play immediately) have influence over the suspension decision.
Update: It’s official. As of Monday evening local time, Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the newly created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s recent achievements, including his 2023 PGA Championship win (his fifth major), were key to this decision.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners in the last three years, ending February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this as a unique opportunity, not setting a future precedent, causing reflection among players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and anxiety within LIV Golf.
Koepka’s penalties for joining LIV are mild: a $5 million donation to