First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull set to launch a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
It was expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was a mutually friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he has felt only limited motivation for in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries leading him to believe his career was nearing its end, aiming to secure a substantial retirement fund. Given this, it’s no surprise he opts out of the last contractually obligated season, though questions remain about any buyout or repayment. He also remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will play on next. He is immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after previous lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly relaxed. It makes little sense to be vindictive when every returning LIV player strengthens the already more dominant Tour. This key question seems partially answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, seeking readmission to the playing field.
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 then be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour plans a new schedule compressing almost two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields – perfect timing for a comeback, matching Koepka’s preferences. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backers of this top tier, would welcome another big name.
’He might need some time, but I think he will 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 big events he likes. If he qualifies or gets invitations for top tournaments, he’ll play those too.’ Perhaps the PGA Tour leadership and the competitor committee led by Tiger Woods will overlook the suspension for a five-time major champion, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately. A majority of fans also seem to agree, according to a non-representative poll by ’Bunkered’ magazine.
Update: ’And maybe the PGA Tour will turn a blind eye for a five-time major champ’ – just as it happened. News spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is already confirmed. This became possible through a newly introduced rule called the ’