First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is ready for more, and Charley Hull is soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has formally withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who gets motivated only by top-level contests, which he rarely found with LIV. In 2022, he mainly joined LIV as he feared his career could end due to injury and sought a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or salary repayments. The 35-year-old remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife on which fairways Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible—likely with a penalty fee—or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following a significant reduction from a lifetime ban imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the stronger tour? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool after not renewing post-2022.
Update: \”And maybe the five-time major winner gets a break in Ponte Vedra Beach\” – exactly that happened. News spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale also confirmed. Made possible by a new \”Returning Member Program\” allowing reentry without suspension for selected LIV players.
A possible suspension would have ended in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour rolls out its condensed schedule of around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields—the perfect comeback timing fitting Koepka’s style. This would also appeal to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the guiding body for the new top league, welcoming a high-profile name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, why not his favorite big events? If he qualifies or is invited to top tournaments, he would play those too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee may bend the rules—following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement to let Koepka play again. A majority of fans likely support this, as per a non-representative \”Bunkered\” magazine survey.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return in 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete