First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to return, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has announced he will not participate in the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka, known as a competitive player who thrives in high-level contests, had limited motivation at LIV. Initially joining LIV in 2022 largely due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, his skipping the last contracted season doesn’t come as a surprise, though questions remain about any buyout or payback of guaranteed salary. He remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculation grows about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. DP World Tour could allow immediate play, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following a significant softening of previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the stronger PGA Tour? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, seeking to be reinstated.
Any potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season and the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields—ideal timing for his return and attractive for PGA Tour Enterprises investors.
\”He might need time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum, focusing on the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or gets invited to major events, he would play those too.\” Moreover, the player board and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, who influence suspension decisions, might waive the penalty for such a decorated five-time major champion, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately. Fans appear to agree, according to a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered.\”
Update: The rumor became reality: Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is confirmed. This was enabled by a new \”Returning Member Program\” policy allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he’ll compete in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, remains intact for their fifth season.