First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to play again, Charley Hull is coming to 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 competing circuit but requires more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a highly competitive athlete energized by top-level contests, was less motivated at LIV. Initially joining LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns about his career’s end and to secure a substantial retirement fund, Koepka’s choice to skip his final contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyout payments and his ownership status in LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds where Koepka will next compete. Eligible immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with penalties, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance after lifetime bans were softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when reintegrating prominent LIV players benefits the established Tour? That question seems partially answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ ranks.
Update: \”And perhaps an eye is turned at Ponte Vedra Beach for the five-time major winner\” — just so it happened. News rapidly spread that Koepka is immediately eligible again on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open late January in Torrey Pines. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona, is also confirmed. This became possible through the newly introduced \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
Koepka’s potential suspension would have ended in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season with the Tour Championship (August 27-30). With the PGA Tour’s upcoming compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events featuring limited, top-tier fields starting in 2027, the timing is perfect for his return. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely hosting the new top league, would welcome such a strong name.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence on the “Subpar” podcast, saying Koepka \”might need some time but would return to the PGA Tour, probably playing at least the minimum events and likely the ones he enjoys, the big tournaments. He would also play top-tier events if qualified.\” Influential voices like Rory McIlroy advocate directly reinstating Koepka, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods also share influence in suspension decisions. Fan sentiment supports this, as a majority showed in a non-representative \”Bunkered\” magazine poll.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri enters its fifth season unchanged. However, DeChambeau has