First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he only partially found in LIV. He moved in 2022 mainly due to concerns about ending his career early from injuries and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or repaying guaranteed money. He also remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations continue about where Koepka will tee off next—on the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, perhaps with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance after previous lifetime bans were softened. But why be vindictive when every LIV returnee helps the already dominant PGA Tour? This essential question seems partly answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27-30, but Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its new schedule compressed to about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields. This timing suits Koepka perfectly and would appeal to investors at PGA Tour Enterprises likely behind the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll come back to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or is invited to high-profile events, he will play those too.\” Furthermore, the player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, who have a say on suspensions, might follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to compete immediately, a view shared by most fans as per an informal \”Bunkered\” survey.
Update: \”And maybe they’ll turn a blind eye for a five-time major champion in Ponte Vedra Beach\”—which has indeed happened. News spread rapidly that Koepka is reinstated immediately to the PGA Tour and will play at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines late January. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This is made possible by a newly introduced \”Returning Member Program\” allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.