First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This mutual agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns, seeking financial security for retirement. Thus, skipping the last contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyouts or salary repayments. Koepka also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation rises about which tour Koepka will appear on next: DP World Tour, where he’s eligible immediately, likely with a penalty fee? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following easing of Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans. This key question seems partly answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ ranks after not renewing post-2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27–30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, coinciding with the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with the best fields — a perfect reentry timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would appreciate another star joining the new top league.
“He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. “He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he can then qualify or participate in high-profile events, he’ll play those as well.” Perhaps the PGA Tour will be lenient with the five-time major winner; decisions on suspensions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, supports Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened just so. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour again and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, with his participation also confirmed at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This became possible through the \”Returning Member Program,\” introduced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major, were taken into account.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized, \”This is a one-time, well-defined opportunity and not a precedent for future cases. Once this door closes, there is no