First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull to launch YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives in high-level sporting battles, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Questions remain whether he had to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary. It is unclear if the 35-year-old remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about which tour Koepka will compete on next. He would be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly 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 heavily softened. The key question seemed partly answered when ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player ranks.
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Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when PGA Tour launches a compressed new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top fields – the perfect timing for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another high-profile name.
Jon Rahm recently shared on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, ‘He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He will probably play at least the minimum, maybe the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies for others or gets in, he would play those too.’ The suspension decision involves board members, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, with Rory McIlroy advocating Koepka’s immediate return. Fans also seem supportive as per a non-representative ‘Bunkered’ poll.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with confirmed participation at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. This was enabled by the newly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing selected LIV players to rejoin PGA Tour membership without suspension.
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DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau