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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitive athlete who thrives on top-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly because he feared his career might end due to injury and aimed to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though some questions remain, such as if he had to buy out the contract or return part of his guarantee fee. The 35-year-old is still the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next. He could immediately play on the DP World Tour, possibly facing a penalty, or return to the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV event after the lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially someone as prominent as Koepka, benefits the longer-armed PGA 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, to rejoin the playing group.
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Any potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 PGA Tour season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027, coinciding perfectly with the PGA Tour’s new schedule consolidating nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring the best-limited fields—a perfect re-entry scenario suiting Koepka’s preferences. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely owners of the new top league, would welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar,\” \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, I’d say, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or can play in top events, he will play them.\” Furthermore, a majority of fans support this, according to a non-representative survey by Bunkered magazine. Rory McIlroy also recommended letting Koepka play again immediately, with Tiger Woods-led competition committees and player directors having influence on suspensions.
Update: \”And perhaps the five-time major winner gets a pass in Ponte Vedra Beach\” — that is exactly what happened. News spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and