First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh seeks a comeback, Charley Hull soon 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to an amicable agreement stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, speculation surrounds Koepka, a fierce competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he only partly found at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement financial cushion. His opting out of the final contract year raises questions about possible buyouts or salary repayments and whether he remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, currently captained by Talor Gooch.
There is much speculation about where Koepka will compete next. He would be eligible to play immediately on the DP World Tour, likely with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he currently faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after previous lifetime bans were significantly softened. This key question has partly been answered: According to ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, seeking reinstatement in the player pool.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season, which features a compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields, making it an ideal moment for his comeback. This would also please investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely leaders of the new top league, who would welcome another marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or can enter high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Moreover, the PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, who have a say in suspension matters, likely will be lenient with a five-time major winner. This aligns with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately and majority fan support per a \”Bunkered\” magazine survey.
Update: The anticipated leniency came true as news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour. He will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and is confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. This became possible through a newly introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continues into the fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambe