First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor motivated by high-level challenges, something he found limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns, seeking financial security for retirement. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is understandable, though questions remain about possible buyouts or salary returns. Koepka remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound on where Koepka will play next—immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly with a fine, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV start. The lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been notably relaxed. Why hold grudges when big names returning benefit the PGA Tour, which dominates the game? Journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after not renewing in 2022.
His suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season end at the Tour Championship. In 2027, with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited top fields, Koepka could make a perfect comeback, appealing also to PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing this top league.
“He might need some time, but I believe he will return to the PGA Tour,” Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. “He’ll probably play the minimum, focusing on his favorite big tournaments. If he qualifies for elite events, he will play those too.” With input from Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ competition committee, a lenient stance on Koepka’s return is expected.
Update: It happened: Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This is enabled by the new ‘Returning Member Program’ introduced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, considering significant recent achievements such as Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship win. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this is a one-time special opportunity ending February 2 and does not set a precedent. Koepka’s penalties include a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus and five years from the PGA Tour’s equity program tied to investors.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start in 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed participation in the LIV Golf League for 2026. His Crushers team—Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri—remain intact for the fifth season. No general