First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull launching soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he somewhat lacked at LIV. He had switched in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. His decision to forgo the last contracted season is therefore not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation continues about which fairways Koepka will soon appear on – the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after the lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? This critical question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, aiming to be reinstated as a player.
Update: \”And perhaps one eye will be turned in Ponte Vedra Beach for a five-time major winner\” – indeed, Koepka is now immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and is confirmed to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in January and the WM Phoenix Open in Arizona.
This is made possible by a surprisingly introduced ‘Returning Member Program’ allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.
A possible suspension would have expired in August, coincidentally when the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields – the perfect timing for a comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises’ investors would undoubtedly welcome such a prominent name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum and the big tournaments he likes. If he then qualifies or is invited to high-profile events, he’d play those as well.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour will ease Koepka’s suspension consideration – key decisions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately. This view is also favored by a majority of fans, according to a non-scientific survey by ‘Bunkered’ magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed that he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains unchanged entering the fifth