First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back in the game, and Charley Hull will soon launch on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, was only moderately motivated at LIV events. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about contract buyouts and his ownership status with LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations continue regarding where Koepka will play next—whether on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a fine, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance. The PGA Tour has softened life-time bans previously imposed. On Friday, according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player ranks.
An expected suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s close at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be fully eligible in 2027 with the PGA Tour’s compressed schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million events and limited fields, an ideal comeback moment, likely welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return on the podcast Subpar, suggesting Koepka might start by playing minimal events, likely the majors he favors, expanding if qualifying. Rory McIlroy supports letting Koepka play immediately, backed by a majority of fans, per an informal survey by Bunkered magazine.
Update: It appears Koepka’s suspension was lifted sooner than expected. News quickly spread that he regained immediate PGA Tour eligibility and will start at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He also confirmed participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This became possible through a new “Returning Member Program” allowing select LIV players reentry without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League with his Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, continuing into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, spurring speculation on behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s most marketable star after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
Surprisingly, 62-year-old three-time major champion Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour. The Fijian uses an exemption from his career money list position and is set to start this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh previously competed