First start at the Farmers; Vijay Singh aims to compete again; Charley Hull heading to YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitive player who thrives on the highest-level competition, which he lacked at LIV. He had switched to LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain regarding financial arrangements and whether he remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound where Koepka will compete next—on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension post-LIV participation, following a significant reduction of the lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every prominent LIV returnee benefits the more dominant PGA Tour? This question seems partially answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which ended in 2022, to rejoin the playing ranks.
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Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new streamlined schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited fields—ideal timing for a comeback that suits his style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another marquee name in their new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I believe he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play the minimum schedule and the big tournaments he enjoys. If he qualifies or gets invites to high-profile events, he’ll play those as well.\” Moreover, Koepka’s suspension decision involves the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, reportedly following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play. Fans share this sentiment, according to a non-representative survey by Bunkered magazine.
Update: \”And perhaps they will turn a blind eye for a five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\”—which has happened. Breaking news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, teeing off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is already confirmed. This was enabled by a newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.