First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching her own YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This, says LIV CEO Scott McNeil, was a mutual agreement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on top-level contests, which was limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure his retirement fund. So skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions about buyouts or paybacks linger. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour, where he’d be immediately eligible likely with a penalty, or PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV event remains, reduced from former lifetime bans. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the players’ roster.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible in 2027 for the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, highly competitive fields—a perfect comeback timing. He’d also be a valuable asset for PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the Subpar podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, focusing on big tournaments he likes, and if he qualifies or gains access, he’ll play those too.\” There’s talk of leniency for the five-time major winner from the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, echoing Rory McIlroy’s endorsement to let Koepka play immediately. A majority of fans also seem supportive, according to a Bunkered magazine poll.
Update: \”And perhaps they’ll cut some slack for a five-time major winner in Ponte Vedra Beach\”—that is exactly what happened. News spread quickly that Koepka is immediately eligible to compete on the PGA Tour, starting at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale already confirmed. This was enabled by the new \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA membership without suspension.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will remain intact for the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, leading to speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka’s departure.