First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back on the PGA, Charley Hull launching her own YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This friendly agreement was stated officially by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives in high-level competition and gets pumped up, something he felt less at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and sought a financial foundation for retirement. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or repayments. At 35, he remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds about which tour Koepka will play on next — the DP World Tour where he would have immediate playing rights (perhaps paying a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans. Why be vengeful when a prominent LIV player returning benefits the dominant tour? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which expired after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 PGA Tour season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA introduces a new schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million events featuring limited, star-studded fields, perfect for a comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently told the „Subpar“ podcast, \”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He will probably at least play the minimum, and why not the big events he likes? If he qualifies or gets invited to big tournaments, he would play those too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour might overlook some suspension details for the five-time major winner, with support from Tiger Woods’ competition committee and player directors, aligned with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: This came true Monday evening as news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible for PGA Tour play, confirmed to compete at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Tor